Egyptian FM Abdelatty and US Envoy Witkoff Discuss Gaza Phase Two and Iran Nuclear Talks

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone call on June 5, 2026, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss two parallel diplomatic tracks: the implementation of Gaza ceasefire phase two and the status of US-Iran nuclear negotiations. On Gaza, the two officials discussed the deployment of an international stabilization force, an Israeli military withdrawal timeline, and the establishment of a Palestinian technocratic committee for Gaza administration. Witkoff praised 'Egypt's central and indispensable role in promoting regional security and stability.' On Iran, Abdelatty urged the US to preserve diplomatic channels amid escalating tensions in the Gulf following Iran's involvement in the conflict with Israel ('Operation Epic Fury,' since February 2026). Abdelatty separately called Qatar's Prime Minister and Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister to coordinate regional Arab positions. Ahram Online noted that Egypt was threading a careful needle: maintaining its traditional role as a neutral facilitator with the US and Israel while supporting Gulf Arab positions against Iran. Egypt's Gaza mediation role — as the primary broker of the October 2025 ceasefire along with Qatar and the US — gives Cairo unique standing in shaping phase two negotiations.