Egypt, UAE, Israel Discuss Repercussions of Ukrainian Crisis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)
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Egypt, UAE, Israel Discuss Repercussions of Ukrainian Crisis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. (WAM)

In their first tripartite meeting, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Sharm El-Sheikh on Tuesday.

The talks addressed the repercussions of global developments, especially concerning energy, market stability, and food security.

Media and political sources said that the meeting also included a discussion of Iranian influence.

Sheikh Mohammed and Bennett arrived in Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday, and each held a bilateral meeting with Sisi, according to Emirati and Israeli media, followed by the tripartite meeting.

Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said the tripartite meeting tackled the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, especially its impact on energy and food security.

The official Emirates News Agency (WAM) said the meeting discussed ways of "enhancing relations between the three countries, and the importance of cooperation and coordination to drive development and enhance stability in the region and bolstering global energy security and market stability."

The meeting came about a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, which caused a significant hike in oil prices amid security concerns in several countries.

Egypt is facing significant challenges in energy and food security after the war in Ukraine put pressure on emerging market economies, which prompted Cairo to devalue the currency by 14 percent. Moscow and Kyiv are Egypt's leading two wheat suppliers.

The war also led to a decline in Egypt's tourism revenues from Russia and Ukraine to the Red Sea resorts.

The tripartite meeting also expressed the political desire to address security issues, namely the escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in the region and the related negative repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and post-crisis arrangements.

They addressed the outcomes of the Iranian nuclear agreement talks and their impact on various political and security matters.

International relations and regional security expert Iman Zahran told Asharq Al-Awsat several indicators favor establishing tripartite cooperation and economic coalitions, most notably concerning the Egyptian-Israeli partnership in energy and the commercial partnership between the three countries.

In Tel Aviv, the tripartite meeting was announced a day in advance, but the government did not comment.

Bennett's office issued an official statement about the visit, noting that Sisi accompanied him to the airport.

The statement read that the PM met with Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed, noting that "against the backdrop of the recent developments in the world and the region, the leaders discussed the ties between the three countries and ways to strengthen them on all levels."

The visit is Bennett's second to Egypt. His first was in September last year.

Political sources in Tel Aviv stressed the importance of Bennett spending his night in Egypt for the first time in many years.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the tripartite meeting is part of Israeli orchestrated attempts to impose a blockade on Iran, which comprises all regional powers, including Turkey, backed by the US.



Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Begins Operations from Saudi Headquarters

Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
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Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Begins Operations from Saudi Headquarters

Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition has begun operations from its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan’s Commodore Rashid Sheikh taking up his post as deputy commander.

Liaison officers from member states and countries completing accession procedures have also started work at the headquarters. Others will follow in stages, based on the number of posts allocated to each country.

The move follows the completion of arrangements to activate the coalition’s bodies, approved at its third planning meeting in Jeddah in August and attended by representatives from 39 countries.

It marks the start of the coalition’s institutional and operational phase and the integration of member states’ military capabilities, while other countries finalize accession procedures.

Work on the coalition’s institutional structure has also advanced rapidly. Saudi Arabia has appointed its commander, while members agreed that the first deputy commander would come from Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia announced the coalition in late July as an international defensive initiative open to all countries.

It aims to strengthen maritime security, protect international waterways and global trade, and counter emerging threats. Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri was appointed coalition commander.

The coalition is a strategic step toward protecting shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

It is founded on the principle that securing international waterways is a collective responsibility requiring coordinated action against growing threats.

Membership remains open to interested countries.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting and leadership of the coalition reflects the Kingdom’s role in strengthening regional and international security and building effective alliances to deter and confront shared maritime threats.

The coalition seeks to safeguard freedom of navigation, secure trade routes, supply chains and energy resources, and protect shared maritime interests across the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The coalition operates under the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. It is exclusively defensive, does not target any country or organization, fully respects state sovereignty and safeguards freedom of navigation.


Gulf, Arab Condemnation of Iranian Attack on Saudi Tanker

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
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Gulf, Arab Condemnation of Iranian Attack on Saudi Tanker

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)

Qatar strongly condemned on Wednesday Iran's attack on the Saudi tanker SIDR in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the deaths among the crew.

It slammed the strike as a blatant violation of international maritime law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs “categorically rejected the weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz and demanded its unconditional reopening.”

The ministry emphasized that “freedom of navigation in the vital waterway is a non-negotiable principle”.

It warned that its continued closure jeopardizes regional security and the global economy.

Demanding an immediate halt to Iran's unjustified aggression, the ministry stressed Doha's “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed unequivocal support for all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its national assets.”

Jordan also condemned the attack, saying it was a flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to the security and safety of global maritime navigation.

In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates underlined the country's “absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia, expressing full support for all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its security, stability, and national resources.”

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the attack, slamming it as a “dangerous escalation, a grave violation of international law, and a direct threat to the security and safety of international maritime navigation.”

He warned that the attack exposes regional security and stability and the flow of global trade to “grave risks”.

Albudaiwi underscored that the GCC member states stand firmly with Saudi Arabia in every measure to safeguard its security and protect its interests.


Riyadh Condemns Iran Attack on Saudi Vessel in Hormuz

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
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Riyadh Condemns Iran Attack on Saudi Vessel in Hormuz

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday Iran for attacking a Saudi vessel, SIDR, as it sailed the Hormuz Strait and the resulting loss of life among the crew.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also condemns the Iranian attacks against Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia “stands by the fraternal states and the measures they take to protect their security and sovereignty against any threat,” it added.

The Kingdom “underscored the need to stop the escalation and respect international marine lanes and their safety, as well as the global energy supplies.”

It urged “good neighborliness and respect for the sovereignty of nations, the UN Charter and international laws and norms.”

The Kingdom “called on all parties to restore calm, end the escalation, respect international law, return to the negotiations and turn to peaceful solutions.”