Overview
- President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi held a previously unannounced meeting with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Cairo on September 20, 2026, with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad also present.
- Egypt told the CIA it supports efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Iran‑related crisis and stressed the need to restore freedom of international navigation through the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb.
- Ratcliffe publicly thanked Egypt for its “pivotal role” and affirmed continued US coordination on regional security, including counterterrorism cooperation with Egypt’s General Intelligence Service.
- Officials and informed sources say Cairo is using discreet channels to pass messages between Washington, Tehran and Gulf states and is holding separate talks to seek compromises on Iran‑linked attacks.
- The talks also covered Sudan, Somalia, Gaza and the Horn of Africa, reflecting Egypt’s concern that disruptions to shipping and rising oil prices would hit Suez revenues, worsen the domestic economy and increase political pressure at home.