🔻CIA director John Ratcliffe, head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), met with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, on a rare trip to Cairo.

The meeting took place today as the U.S. State Department warned of the possibility of a rapid escalation of the war in the Middle East.

Mr. Sisi’s office said that Hassan Rashad, head of Egyptian intelligence, was also present at the meeting, and that the Iran war, as well as the situation in Gaza and Sudan, were discussed.

Attacks on Gulf countries and maritime threats were among the other topics.

According to a statement from Egypt’s presidential office, Mr. Sisi emphasized the “critical importance of resolving regional crises through political and diplomatic means.”

John Ratcliffe’s visit took place a few days after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Mr. Sisi in Cairo. Two days after that, the Saudi crown prince traveled to Egypt, after the Houthis, in a lightning operation, took control of coasts and islands overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

American media reported last week that Washington rejected Saudi Arabia’s request to attack the Houthis.

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