Tehran Denies Links to Damietta Attack, Warns of “False-Flag Operations”

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published July 31, 2026

Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب

Iran says it respects Egypt’s sovereignty and security, while Egyptian authorities continue investigating the drone attack on two gas vessels without officially identifying those responsible.

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically denied any connection to the attack that targeted two gas vessels at Egypt’s Damietta Port, amid growing speculation over who was behind the incident and concerns about the widening regional confrontation.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry rejected media reports attempting to link Tehran to the attack, stressing that Iran’s policy is based on respecting Egypt’s sovereignty, security and national interests.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also described Egypt as an important friend and regional partner, emphasizing that the country’s security remains highly important to Tehran.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Araghchi warned of what he described as Israeli plans and “false-flag operations” aimed at undermining regional peace and creating divisions among countries in the region.

However, the accusations represent Iran’s official political position, and Tehran has not publicly presented evidence proving that Israel or any other party was responsible for the attack.

The Egyptian government previously announced that preliminary investigations indicated that a drone caused a fire aboard two vessels at Damietta Port on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Egyptian authorities said emergency teams brought the fire under control in accordance with established safety procedures. No deaths or injuries were reported.

Officials added that investigations were continuing to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to take the necessary measures to protect Egypt’s national security and strategic interests.

No organization or government has officially claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to Reuters, the incident affected the Energos Winter, a floating liquefied natural gas storage vessel, before the fire spread to another vessel inside the port.

The attack has raised additional concerns over the security of commercial shipping and energy infrastructure near the Suez Canal, particularly as military and political tensions continue to escalate across the region.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said the relevant authorities were investigating the circumstances of the incident. He also warned against the dangers of further regional escalation and called for international action to prevent the conflict from expanding.

The identity of those responsible therefore remains officially undetermined pending the completion of Egypt’s technical and security investigations.

Iran’s denial represents Tehran’s formal diplomatic position, but it should not be considered a final conclusion regarding responsibility for the attack.