Iran said Monday that neither its President Masoud Pezeshkian nor foreign minister Abbas Araghchi will attend the Gaza summit in Egypt.

Axar.az informs, citing IRNA, in a post on X early on Monday, Araghchi expressed gratitude to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s invitation but made it clear that “while favoring diplomatic engagement, neither President [Masoud] Pezeshkian nor I can engage with counterparts who have attacked the Iranian People and continue to threaten and sanction us.”

The top diplomat was referring to US airstrikes on Iran during Israel’s 12-day war in June this year, as well as illegal sanctions targeting the Iranian people’s livelihood.

“Iran welcomes any initiative that ends Israel’s genocide in Gaza and ensures the expulsion of occupation forces,” Araghchi said in his post, stressing that “Palestinians are fully entitled to secure their fundamental right of self-determination, and all states remain obliged, more than ever, to assist them in their lawful and legitimate cause.”

The Gaza peace summit, co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, aims to consolidate a ceasefire and outline a post-war political framework.

Leaders from more than 20 nations are expected to attend, though neither Israel nor Hamas will take part.