Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for an immediate return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the ongoing United States-Iran conflict during a bilateral meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday. The talks took place on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit held in the Indian capital of New Delhi.
In a public statement issued following the meeting, Anwar expressed deep concern over the protracted Middle East conflict and the dangerous escalation of regional tensions. He urged all involved parties to return to the negotiating table, prioritize peaceful diplomatic avenues to resolve their disputes, and refrain from any military actions that could further destabilize the region.
Safeguarding Maritime Passages and Global Economic Stability
Addresssing the security of strategic waterways, the Malaysian prime minister emphasized that the freedom and safety of commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be maintained in accordance with international maritime law. Anwar noted that any sustained disruption to shipping traffic through the corridor poses severe threats to global energy security, international trade flows, and broader economic stability.
The Strait of Hormuz has faced severe navigation disruptions and commercial closures following military escalations in the region, which initiated on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iranian targets, prompting retaliatory missile strikes by Tehran against regional installations.
Expansion of Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation
In addition to regional security discussions, Anwar and Pezeshkian explored strategies to strengthen bilateral economic ties and expand trade and investment channels between Malaysia and Iran.
The two leaders identified several key sectors for enhanced practical cooperation, including energy production, agricultural commerce, palm oil trade, food security initiatives, the halal industry, technological exchange, and higher education programs. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining long-standing diplomatic relations and continuing constructive engagement despite the challenging international environment.
