US Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Sunday amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The meeting, which also included Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, focused on ongoing conflicts in Iran, the Gaza Strip, and Sudan, as well as recent attacks in Gulf countries and threats to maritime security in the region.

According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, El-Sisi emphasized the necessity of resolving regional conflicts through political and diplomatic means. The discussions come amid heightened concerns over the potential for rapid escalation in the ongoing violence. The US State Department recently issued a warning against travel to the Middle East, citing the risk of violence spreading and affecting civilian and commercial movement.

The current hostilities have already disrupted air and maritime traffic and placed significant strain on energy exports. This disruption has been reflected in the spike in global oil prices, which have surged above $100 per barrel.

During the talks, Ratcliffe commended Egypt’s influential role in supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving peaceful and comprehensive resolutions to the various crises affecting the region. His visit follows closely on the heels of a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President El-Sisi in Cairo, where both leaders stressed the importance of maintaining secure navigation through the Bab Al-Mandab strait.

The strategic waterway has come under threat following a swift advance by Houthi forces along the Yemeni coast, raising concerns about the safety of maritime routes critical to global trade. The meetings underscore international efforts to address multiple interconnected conflicts in the Middle East while ensuring the security of vital shipping lanes.