Iran invited to Gaza peace summit in Egypt

Iran, a longtime backer of the Palestinian group Hamas, confirmed on Sunday evening that it has received an official invitation to attend the high-level Gaza peace summit scheduled for Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. However, the Islamic Republic has yet to announce whether it will participate.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the Egyptian invitation during a cabinet meeting. The invitation was formally addressed to President Massoud Pezeshkian, who declined to attend the summit himself.

"The president has declined the invitation, which has now been passed on to the foreign minister," IRNA reported, implying that Minister Araghchi is considering whether to represent Iran at the summit.

The summit, co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to solidify a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and lay the groundwork for long-term regional stability. 

Leaders from over 20 countries, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, are expected to attend.

Iran’s potential presence at the summit would be significant, given its long-standing support for Hamas and its influential role in Middle East geopolitics. However, Tehran’s strained relations with several Western and regional participants could complicate its engagement.

As of Sunday night, no official confirmation had been made regarding Iran’s participation.