The Middle East is at a dangerous crossroads, with choices ranging from a temporary U.S.-Iran accord to full scale confrontation, warned Ezzat Saad, director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
His remarks came as political and media rhetoric escalated sharply in recent days, with the latest round of U.S.-Iran negotiations held in an atmosphere of uncertainty and contradictory statements that reflected deep divisions.
Between signals of appeasement and threats of escalation, the talks reflected a climate where all possibilities remain open, from limited understanding to the risk of military clash.
"A limited deal is conceivable at this stage, but it will remain restrained by a deep crisis of mistrust between the Iranian regime and the Trump administration. If the gap of mistrust is narrowed, it could pave the way for an interim agreement. On the other hand, the possibility of a limited strike remains, with potential repercussions for the overall regional situation and even the possibility of a wider war. It is highly possible," he said.
Ambassador Saad said the U.S. military buildup in the region goes beyond routine maneuvers, describing it as a direct pressure tactic to strengthen its negotiating position.
"This military buildup may be used as a bargaining chip, and indeed it is, but it does not negate the danger of sliding into a catastrophic confrontation. The U.S. must realize that a war of this kind would have serious consequences for its allies and friends in the region before its adversaries, and past experience confirms this," he said.
He highlighted that key regional powers are working to contain the escalating tension through coordinated efforts, prioritizing political and diplomatic channels to press U.S. decision makers against policies that risk an all-out confrontation.
"Egypt, along with other regional countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, is seeking to strengthen coordination and consultation to develop positions that protect our common interests. Blind and unconditional support for an extreme right-wing government in Israel, whether motivated by domestic electoral considerations this year or otherwise, will not bring stability or security to the region," he said.
The latest round of U.S.–Iran negotiations was held Thursday in Geneva amid international anticipation, as political and military tensions continued to mount. Observers hope the talks can ease the crisis and lay a foundation for more stable negotiations ahead.
All options on table as Middle East faces dangerous crossroads: Egyptian official
Shanghai is taking steps to improve its business environment starting from the neighborhood-level up, delivering greater precision of city management and ensuring the meets of small business operators and residents are met.
At the start of this year, Shanghai launched its ninth version of an action plan to accelerate the development of a world-class business environment, with the plan prioritizing government service efficiency.
Building a world-class business environment is also highlighted in the recommendation for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) -- a key blueprint mapping out the country's development goals for the years ahead -- signaling a clear commitment to supporting enterprises, especially small and private companies.
These measures are already being put into practice to good effect across the city.
The redeveloped Suzhou Creek is a popular spot for leisure and exercise in the city, with the Fotografiska Museum overlooking the river being a top choice for many to stop for a cup of coffee and enjoy the outdoor vibe.
However, when the gallery first opened in 2023, though it wanted to set up an outdoor seating area, it was mindful of not disturbing the public space.
"We are located by the road and along the creek, so there are many joggers, sports enthusiasts, and tourists passing by. We need to consider how to balance our operations with the flow of people through the area," said Crystal Cao, guest experience manager of the gallery.
The problem was quickly solved with the help of a "business environment specialist" in the neighborhood, who weighed up the concerns and found a workable solution.
In Shanghai's "North Station" area, 12 specialists each oversee 30 to 40 local companies, ensuring that their requests are addressed promptly.
"My job is to communicate with enterprises and know their needs. If they have requests, we help solve them," said Sun Danyan, one of the business environment specialists in the North Station Neighborhood.
Looking to push ahead with its outdoor seating concept, the gallery shared its plans with the specialist, who then reported them to the neighborhood office. The office coordinated with district-level departments, such as landscaping and city appearance bureaus, to design the outdoor area.
Without such specialists, companies, especially smaller ones, would have to navigate multiple departments on their own, which can be challenging.
"Small companies often have limited access to resources and information. They need our neighborhood office to provide support and help them access the resources they require," said Sang Zhenxiao, office director of Shanghai North Station Neighborhood.
Private enterprises account for more than 90 percent of Shanghai's businesses and are a key pillar of the city's economy.
Xu Jiao, deputy director of the Development and Reform Commission in Shanghai's Jing'an District, said the upgraded business environment is designed to support not only large or foreign firms, but also small local companies.
"The neighborhood is the closest to the companies and the last kilometer in the business environment. So, we use the 'neighborhood serving as whistle blower to urge departments to report for duty' to make our job more efficient. Any problems companies meet can be reported to the higher level via this mechanism," he said.
Shanghai improves business environment starting from neighborhood level
Shanghai improves business environment starting from neighborhood level
Shanghai improves business environment starting from neighborhood level
