CAIRO, September 21, 2026 — CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Sunday as tensions continued to rise across the Middle East, with the talks focusing on the Iran crisis, Gaza, Sudan and threats to maritime security. Egypt’s General Intelligence Service chief Hassan Rashad also attended the meeting.
The meeting was not publicly announced in advance by Washington, and the US side did not immediately provide details about the purpose of Ratcliffe’s visit. Egypt’s presidency said the discussions covered strategic US-Egyptian relations as well as a range of regional and international security issues.
Iran crisis and maritime security
According to the Egyptian presidency, Sisi called for efforts toward a comprehensive agreement to resolve the Iran crisis, restore regional stability and safeguard freedom of international navigation. Ratcliffe, meanwhile, praised Egypt’s role in supporting efforts toward peaceful solutions to regional crises.
The meeting came as tensions involving Iran and countries in the Gulf continued to escalate. Egypt has also been closely focused on the security of the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, crucial waterways for international shipping and the Egyptian economy.
Just days before Ratcliffe’s visit, Sisi met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo. The two leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining safe and unrestricted navigation through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb amid the conflict in Yemen.
Gaza also on the agenda
The Gaza conflict was another major subject of the Cairo talks. Egypt has played a central role in efforts to mediate between the parties and implement the Gaza ceasefire.
Sisi stressed the importance of fully implementing the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, protecting civilians and ensuring sustained humanitarian assistance to the territory. He also called for conditions that would allow the political process to resume and eventually lead to a two-state settlement.
Ratcliffe praised Cairo’s role in helping secure the Gaza ceasefire and said Washington wanted to continue close coordination with Egypt on regional security and stability.
Sudan and Horn of Africa
The two sides also discussed the war in Sudan and developments in the Horn of Africa. Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while emphasizing Cairo’s involvement in regional and international efforts to end the conflict and support a political settlement.
The discussions also covered Somalia, with Sisi expressing support for the country’s stability and rejecting any infringement on its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
Why the meeting matters
The timing of Ratcliffe’s visit is significant because Egypt maintains working relationships with Washington, Gulf Arab states and other regional actors, while also keeping diplomatic channels open on the Iran crisis. The meeting therefore provided an opportunity for Cairo and Washington to coordinate on several interconnected issues, including the Iran conflict, Gaza, Sudan and maritime security.
Egypt is also a major US security partner and has long-standing intelligence cooperation with Washington. The Egyptian presidency said Ratcliffe emphasized the importance of continued intelligence coordination, including on terrorism, organized crime and other transnational security threats.
The precise reason for Ratcliffe’s unannounced Cairo visit has not been publicly disclosed. The official statements instead point to a broad regional-security agenda, with the Iran crisis and maritime security particularly prominent amid the current escalation.
