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FINWIRES

Egypt, Qatar Reportedly Hold Daily Talks to Curb Middle East Tensions

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Egypt is coordinating with Qatar on a daily basis to limit escalation of conflict in the Middle East, media outlets reported Thursday, citing Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

In a news conference in Egypt, Abdelatty reportedly condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states, which he called as blatant violation of the states' sovereignty.

Stressing the importance of freedom of navigation, he said that no country should be an obstacle to maritime movement, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatari counterpart and prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, said transit routes must not be held hostage to "political blackmail," media outlets reported. He was also present at the Egypt conference.

Oman and Iran are finalizing an action plan to manage the strait.has reached out to the respective foreign ministries to seek an update on the plan.

Oman has highlighted the importance of regional peace to ensure security in the waterway, Al Jazeera reported.

Aside from Hormuz tensions, recent attacks on Saudi Arabia by Houthi militants are adding to the scope of the regional conflict.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly warned Saudi that the Houthis in Yemen cannot be suppressed, as they have always retaliated on a larger scale every time they are attacked.

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