No one but you can stop war in Middle East, al-Sisi tells Trump

CAIRO

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday appealed to his American counterpart, Donald Trump, to “end the war in the region” as the Israeli-American offensive on Iran entered its second month.

Al-Sisi made the remarks during his speech at the ninth edition of the Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition (EGYPS 2026) in Cairo, held from March 30 until April 1 amid a global energy crisis caused by the ongoing conflict.

“I say to President Trump, no one but you can stop the war in our region,” al-Sisi said.

“I speak to you in the name of humanity and in the name of peace-loving people… Please help us stop the war. You are capable of doing so.”

He warned of serious repercussions for regional countries, saying the crisis has caused energy shortages and rising prices, which will affect fuel, fertilizers, and agricultural products.

Al-Sisi also stressed the importance of unifying efforts to end the war.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively disrupted since early March, with around 20 million barrels of oil passing through it daily, representing roughly 20% of global supply. Its closure has pushed oil prices higher and raised fears of prolonged economic disruption.

The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.

*Writing by Rasa Evrensel in Istanbul