ISTANBUL

Iran’s attacks on regional countries "constitute a serious escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region," Saudi Arabia and Egypt said on Saturday.

The joint sentiment emerged during a meeting between visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Sisi expressed his country's condemnation of Iran’s attacks and expressed Cairo's solidarity with Saudi Arabia "against any threats to its sovereignty and security."

Earlier in the day, Sisi also met with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Bahraini capital Manama, and the two called for international cooperation to protect the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the importance of "stopping Iran’s threats to disrupt freedom of navigation" in the strait.

The Egyptian leader's visit to Jeddah and Manama came as part of his Gulf tour that also included visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28, with Tehran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Iran has also effectively closed to most ships the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route that normally handles about 20 million barrels per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.