Since ophiolites are remnants of ancient oceanic crust, which are later emplaced along convergent plate boundaries, they provide key insights into the magmatic and tectonic processes linked to mid-ocean ridges (MOR) and subduction zones, particularly in the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS). This study presents an integrated mineralogical and geochemical inves- tigation of ophiolitic metagabbros (MG) and metabasalts (MB) from two tectonically distinct regions of the Egyptian Eastern Desert: W. Um Qarati in the Central Eastern Desert (CED) and G. Gerf in the Southern Eastern Desert (SED). The Um Qarati rocks form part of a dismembered ophiolite thrust over an island arc assemblage, whereas the Gerf rocks preserve one of the most intact ophiolite sequences in the ANS. The primary mineral phases (plagioclase, hornblende, and clinopyroxene) are variably overprinted by greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism, as evidenced by secondary actinolite and chlorite. Plagioclase compositions in metagabbros range from oligoclase to labradorite with minor albite, exhibiting normal zoning in Um Qarati and reversed zoning in G. Gerf. Hornblende thermobarometry yields crystalliza- tion temperatures of ~ 800–870°C and pressures of ~ 3.99‒5.78 kbar. The presence of interstitial quartz, alongside apatite, and ilmenite points to a high degree of magma evolution. The studied metagabbros and metabasalts seem to represent a transitional stage between mid-ocean ridge (MOR) and island-arc tholeiitic (IAT) magmas. Their chondrite-normalised LREE patterns and HFSE ratios (Nb/Yb = 0.41–5.97 in MG and 0.74–11.47 in MB) suggest derivation from heterogeneous mantle sources ranging from depleted MORB-like to enriched OIB-like compositions. However, the negative Nb anoma- lies and high Th/Yb ratios in the metagabbros, point to metasomatic enrichment by slab-derived fluids and melts. The concentrations of immobile elements (Ti, V, Zr, Nb, and Y), along with structural features, including sheeted dykes and deformed pillow basalts, support a subduction initiation setting. In this context, early-stage extension and mantle upwell- ing generated MORB-type magmas, followed by progressive subduction-related input, yielding IAT-like compositions. The transitional geochemical character of the studied ophiolites closely resembles that of globally recognized subduction- initiation complexes, such as the Izu-Bonin-Mariana forearc and the Balkan Tethyan belt. These findings highlight the role of the Egyptian ophiolites as valuable analogues for understanding crustal generation during Neoproterozoic subduction initiation and early arc development.