ENGAGING EGYPT ON E3 PLUS 3/P5 PLUS 1 PROCESS

S E C R E T CAIRO 000714 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA/IR FOR TAYLOR NEA/ELA FOR ALLEN ISN/RA FOR ALLEN-CLOSE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2019 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IR EG SUBJECT: ENGAGING EGYPT ON E3 PLUS 3/P5 PLUS 1 PROCESS REF: STATE 36335 Classified By: Econ-Pol Counselor Catherine Hill-Herndon for reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d). (SECRET) On 27 April we delivered reftel points to Neveen El-Husseiny at the America's Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We conveyed that the United States would be in close consultation with the GOE as we move forward with pursuing direct engagement with Iran. We noted that despite our efforts to engage directly with Iran, our fundamental goal of preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability remains unchanged. Special Advisor Dennis Ross' visit to the region in early May presents an opportunity to further reassure the GOE and our Gulf allies that their concerns with Iran will not be ignored in any attempt to resolve the nuclear issue. El-Husseiny thanked us for the message and reiterated the GOE's support for U.S. engagement to deter Iran's nuclear ambitions. SCOBEY