Egypt and the UAE call on Washington and Tehran to return to the memorandum of understanding
Egypt and the United Arab Emirates called on the United States and Iran on Thursday to return to their commitments under the memorandum of understanding signed between them last June, and to halt escalating Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank. This came during a phone call between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his UAE counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement said the two ministers emphasized “the importance of intensifying efforts to de-escalate and contain tensions, and to return to compliance with the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, thereby paving the way for resuming political and diplomatic tracks and preventing the conflict from widening.”
They stressed the necessity of “respecting the rules of international law, and safeguarding the security, safety, and freedom of international navigation.”
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last June to end military operations and open a negotiation track, but its implementation stalled amid renewed confrontations and disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, and the commitments of both sides. Since February 28, the region has witnessed military confrontations between the United States and Iran, interspersed with rounds of negotiations and temporary truces.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his country has several options regarding Iran, including continuing negotiations, increasing attacks, or tightening economic pressure.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, the two ministers emphasized the importance of fully implementing all obligations of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, in accordance with the announced roadmap, which would contribute to stabilizing the situation and preparing conditions for transitioning to subsequent phases.
The roadmap includes 15 points concerning humanitarian aid, sector management, reconstruction, Israeli withdrawal, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the roadmap, making the disarmament of Hamas a precondition for any withdrawal.
The two ministers also stressed “the necessity of halting escalating Israeli actions and practices in the West Bank, and rejecting any measures that could undermine the prospects of achieving peace and the two-state solution.” They affirmed “the importance of preserving the territorial integrity of the Palestinian lands in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented more than 1,330 attacks by settlers resulting in injuries or property damage from the beginning of 2026 until July 20, averaging more than six attacks per day.
The United Nations considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, illegal under international law.
The call also addressed developments in the war in Sudan, during which the two ministers exchanged “assessments regarding the latest developments of the crisis and regional and international efforts to address it.” Both sides emphasized “the importance of continuing coordination and consultation to support the security and stability of Sudan and alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the Sudanese people.”
Since April 2023, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have been engaged in a war that erupted amid disagreements over the integration of the latter into the national military institution.
The war has led to the forced displacement of approximately 11.3 million people within and outside Sudan as of July 20, 2026, including about 6.5 million internally displaced persons, according to the latest data from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
