Iran says Egypt entering Yemen war makes situation 'more difficult'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Egypt entering the Yemen war, or any other country's interference, would make the situation "more difficult," in an interview with Iraqi state broadcaster Al-Iraqiya aired on Tuesday. Egypt's parliament has delayed a debate on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request to authorize military support for Saudi Arabia.

Is Egypt entering the Yemen war?

Egypt has said it "will not enter Yemen or engage in a war against Yemen," Araghchi said. Sisi said Egypt was not seeking to "confront or attack anyone," adding: "We are speaking only about defense." State-linked media reported Egypt would defend Saudi territory.

Sisi said Cairo's proposed military support for Riyadh was to "defend Saudi territory, and does not include an attack on Yemen," state-linked media reported. Al-Qahera News, which is closely linked to state intelligence and is to broadcast a speech by Sisi, reported that he also said "the stability of our brothers in the Gulf concerns Egypt's national security". The speech itself has not yet been aired.

What did Araghchi say about Egyptian involvement in Yemen?

"Egypt has sufficient experience to avoid entangling itself in such a highly complex conflict," Iran's top diplomat said. He added that any foreign presence or interference would only make the issue harder to resolve.

"We believe that any foreign presence or interference will only make resolving this issue more difficult," Araghchi said.

Why is Egypt's parliament debating military support for Saudi Arabia?

Sisi asked lawmakers to approve military support for Saudi Arabia if requested by the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has come under near-daily attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.

Egypt's parliament on Monday delayed the debate on the request until next week.

How has the Yemen war escalated?

The decade-plus war between the Iran-backed Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's internationally recognized government reignited in July. The Houthis seized much of Yemen's Red Sea coastline in September.

They have since launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on state oil giant Aramco and Riyadh's international airport. Thirteen people were killed at the airport on October 10.