Why were iron tools more difficult for the Egyptians to obtain than copper ones?

Iron tools were more difficult for the Egyptians to obtain than copper ones primarily due to the scarcity of iron ore in the region and the complex process required to extract and forge iron, which was not well developed at the time. Unlike copper, which could be found in its native state and easily smelted, iron required higher temperatures and more advanced techniques for production. Additionally, the Egyptians had established trade networks for copper and relied on those for their supply, while iron was not as widely traded or utilized during earlier periods.