Introduction
In a provocative and widely perceived betrayal of Arab consensus, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed Iran’s Foreign Minister to Cairo earlier this month—officially opening Egypt’s doors to a sectarian regime long accused of fueling bloodshed across Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon. This visit was not a mere diplomatic formality. It carried a clear message: Sisi is willing to mortgage what remains of Egypt’s Arab identity in pursuit of opportunistic and retaliatory alliances.
The irony lies in the timing—this Iranian “rapprochement” comes after years of generous political and economic backing from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who played a decisive role in shielding the Sisi regime regionally and internationally after the 2013 coup. So is this the reward for loyalty? A pivot toward Tehran—the spearhead of sectarian conflict in the region, whose legacy haunts even Egypt through its role in Palestine’s turmoil?
Saudi Arabia’s Role in Supporting Post-Coup Egypt
Following Sisi’s ousting of the Muslim Brotherhood in July 2013, Egypt faced immense political and economic hurdles—global isolation, financial deficits, and internal instability. Saudi Arabia, alongside the UAE, emerged as a critical backer of Sisi, as evidenced by multiple sources:
- Financial and Economic Aid: Between 2013 and 2019, Saudi Arabia provided Egypt with approximately $25 billion in financial aid, including central bank deposits, loans, and oil grants. For instance, in December 2015, Riyadh pledged to cover Egypt’s petroleum needs for five years and committed 30 billion riyals (about $8 billion) in investments. It also signed a $1.5 billion loan agreement to develop the Sinai Peninsula. These measures were vital in stabilizing Egypt’s economy amid a severe foreign currency crisis and soaring inflation.
- Political Support: Riyadh staunchly backed Sisi against mounting international criticism, particularly from Western states that opposed the 2013 coup. Saudi diplomacy worked to prevent UN sanctions against Egypt and bolstered the regime until it regained domestic stability.
- Countering the Muslim Brotherhood: By designating the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in 2014, Saudi Arabia saw in Sisi a partner in curbing the group’s regional influence. Egypt’s subsequent participation in the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance in 2015 underscored this alignment.
- Regional Stability: Supporting Egypt was a strategic investment for Riyadh to counter Iranian influence and extremist movements. This backing reinstated Egypt as a regional balancer and contributed to its political and economic resilience in a volatile Middle East.
The Gulf’s financial aid—led by Saudi Arabia—was more than charity; it was a calculated investment in Egypt as the Arab world’s linchpin. Billions were funneled to uphold Sisi’s regime, shielding it from collapse and reinforcing regional stability.
How Saudi Support Served Egypt’s National Interest
Saudi support proved crucial to Egypt’s national interest across several dimensions:
- Economic Stability: The financial lifeline bridged massive fiscal gaps, enabling the state to pay public sector wages, import essential commodities, and ease pressure on the Egyptian pound. A 2019 report by Kuwait’s Al-Qabas estimated total Gulf aid to Egypt since 2013 at $92 billion.
- National Security: Saudi-backed investments bolstered Egypt’s fight against terrorism—particularly in Sinai—by improving infrastructure and security. The 2015 Sinai Development Agreement stands as a testament.
- Restoring Regional Role: Riyadh’s diplomatic and financial backing helped Egypt reclaim its status as a key Arab player, especially in forums like the Arab League and in contentious issues like the Ethiopian Nile dam crisis.
- Curbing the Brotherhood: Saudi alignment with Sisi’s anti-Brotherhood stance was instrumental in restoring domestic order. Without this support, Cairo’s internal security apparatus might have struggled to contain the insurgency in Sinai and urban unrest.
Sisi’s “Unpatriotic” and “Retaliatory” Moves
Despite Riyadh’s extensive backing, Sisi’s recent foreign policy decisions have been criticized as unpatriotic and driven by short-term political calculus:
- Engagement with Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s June 2025 visit to Cairo and his remarks on “unprecedented progress” in bilateral ties have raised alarm bells. Many see this as Sisi’s attempt to pressure Riyadh—especially after recent tensions over dam-related negotiations—with a retaliatory tilt toward Tehran. Critics argue Egypt is exploiting Gulf support only to align with their adversaries.
- Stance on Syria: Egypt has long diverged from Saudi policy on Syria. In 2016, Cairo opposed Riyadh’s call for military intervention against the Assad regime and instead endorsed Russian involvement, triggering a diplomatic rift. Now, after Assad’s fall in December 2024, Egypt’s warming ties with Iran are seen as a potential move to undercut the new Syrian regime—another non-aligned and arguably anti-Arab position.
- Tensions with Jordan: Egypt’s maneuvers within the Arab League, particularly its support for the post-Assad Syrian government, have alarmed Jordan, which fears Egypt is seeking regional leverage at the expense of Arab unity. These actions are viewed as self-serving rather than pan-Arab.
- Tiran and Sanafir Controversy: In 2016, Egypt handed over sovereignty of the Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia. Although part of a diplomatic agreement, the move sparked domestic outrage and was seen by some as compromising national sovereignty in exchange for financial support.
Saudi Support vs. Sisi’s Maneuvers: A Stark Contrast
- Saudi Support: Riyadh’s aid was strategic and aligned with Egypt’s long-term stability. Initially, it came without heavy political strings—central bank deposits and energy pledges were offered unconditionally to ensure Egypt’s survival as a regional power.
- Sisi’s Moves: In contrast, Sisi’s overtures to Iran and his stance on Syria suggest tactical maneuvers aimed at extracting more Gulf support or asserting Egypt’s regional ambitions. These actions are widely viewed as retaliatory, exploiting Gulf generosity without reciprocal commitments.
- Regional Impact: While Saudi aid enhanced Egypt’s stability, Sisi’s recalibrations—particularly toward Iran—risk undermining that very stability by stoking tensions with Gulf allies. His divergent positions on Syria and Jordan further suggest a narrow national agenda, rather than a shared Arab vision.
Challenges and Consequences
- Strained Ties: Cairo’s shifting posture has led to periodic friction with Riyadh—seen in the 2016 Syria dispute and again in 2023 when Saudi aid was made conditional on economic reforms. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report noted Riyadh’s shift to a “Saudi Arabia First” policy, reducing unconditional aid.
- Regional Risks: Closer ties with Iran could weaken the Arab front against Tehran’s influence, jeopardizing Egypt’s strategic alliances. Meanwhile, Egyptian moves in Syria risk aggravating Jordanian fears over regional stability.
- Public Sentiment: Sisi’s pivot has triggered domestic and regional criticism. Many accuse him of undermining Egyptian and Arab interests and repaying Saudi support with betrayal.
Conclusion
One must ask: Where is Sisi steering Egypt? Can Cairo—long a pillar of Arab identity—afford to become a pawn in regional skirmishes shaped by short-term tactical gambits? Aligning with Tehran—after its documented interventions in multiple Arab states—reads not as pragmatism, but as a break from the Arab consensus, a betrayal of the very alliance that rescued Egypt from collapse in 2013.
Has Sisi forgotten who extended a hand when Egypt teetered on the brink? Does he not realize that playing on regional fault lines might cost him allies without winning the trust of adversaries? It is time for the Egyptian leadership to reassess its strategic compass and anchor Egypt where it belongs: at the heart of the Arab project—not on its margins, not a hostage to pressures, and certainly not a vessel for foreign agendas.
