Drones on LNG ships in Egypt: Cairo refuses to be dragged into it

Egyptian authorities confirmed on Thursday that a drone attack had caused fires on two ships in the port of Damietta, marking the first reported such incident against an Egyptian port since the escalation of tensions with Iran and the United States late last month. The affected vessels were a regasification ship and a storage ship owned by a U.S.-based company. No casualties were reported, and emergency services quickly brought the situation under control. The port has resumed its regular operations. The attacks, attributed to Iran or one of its proxy militias, have raised concerns among officials about the growing reach of regional instability beyond the immediate conflict zones. Damietta, a key energy and trade hub, hosts one of Egypt’s two liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and serves as a critical link in the Ro-Ro shipping route connecting Damietta to Trieste in Italy. This corridor is vital for exporting chilled agricultural products to Europe. With the Strait of Hormuz blocked by Iranian forces, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have increasingly relied on Egyptian infrastructure to transport crude oil. Egyptian officials emphasized that while they have not yet identified the perpetrators, preliminary investigations suggest a high likelihood of involvement by Iran or its allies. Ayman Zaineldine, a former Egyptian diplomat and member of the country's Council of Foreign Policy, described the attack as “a highly alarming development” indicating the spread of regional unrest. He noted that initial findings point to a low probability of the incident being an accident, reinforcing suspicions of external actors. Zaineldine stressed that Cairo is prepared to address the issue directly with the parties suspected of involvement. He warned that repeated attacks could force the government to reconsider its approach, though he expects a diplomatic rather than military response. “Egypt will immediately contact the party or parties believed responsible and raise the matter openly,” he stated. According to Zaineldine, the incident would further strengthen Egypt’s resolve to contain and resolve the conflict. Rabha Allam, an Egyptian political analyst, echoed this stance. She argued that Cairo is unlikely to take hasty conclusions or align itself with either side of the current conflict. Instead, she believes Egypt will maintain its diplomatic position. “Cairo will not allow itself to be drawn into the camps of the warring parties,” she said. Allam also highlighted the importance of maintaining stability through dialogue and strategic engagement. The incident underscores the increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to emerging threats amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. As regional powers continue to test each other’s limits, the security of ports and supply routes becomes ever more crucial. Egypt’s efforts to bolster its defenses reflect broader concerns over the potential for conflict to spill into areas traditionally considered safe. While the immediate focus remains on addressing the attack and restoring normalcy, the long-term implications for regional security remain uncertain.