Egypt is mediating negotiations between the U.S. and Iran

Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East are gaining momentum. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate talks with both US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian diplomatic chief Abbas Araqchi.

Their aim was to discuss proposals to ease tensions in the region, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday. Egypt, along with Turkey and Pakistan, is profiling itself as one of the main mediators in the current crisis.

It was Islamabad in Pakistan that recently hosted a meeting aimed at reducing tensions and opening the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil trade.

(reuters, mja)