On April 8, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth engaged in a call with Egypt's Minister of Defense, General Abd-al-Majid Ahmad Saqr. The purpose of the communication was to reinforce the strong partnership between the United States and Egypt while exploring opportunities to further mutual interests.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on Red Sea security and the challenges arising from the actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis. Their activities have adversely affected the Suez Canal, impacting the global economy.
Defense Press Operations Director Col. Chris Devine shared, "The Secretary and Minister discussed the importance of Red Sea security and the reckless actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis, which has negatively impacted the Suez Canal and the global economy."