Malaysia backs Pakistan’s bid to mediate US-Iran talks, urging diplomacy and restraint as Middle East tensions escalate.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has expressed support for Pakistan’s proposal to host dialogue between the United States and Iran, as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following a series of military confrontations involving Iran and Israel.
In a statement earlier, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the offer by Pakistan, led by Shehbaz Sharif, comes at a critical moment and could help create conditions for meaningful negotiations.
The latest tensions come against a backdrop of a long-running rivalry between Iran and Israel, which has historically played out through proxy groups and covert operations across the region, including in Lebanon and Syria.
In recent months, however, the conflict has intensified, with more direct exchanges and strikes raising fears of a broader regional war.
The situation is further complicated by the involvement of the United States, a key ally of Israel, and its strained relationship with Iran following the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement and the reimposition of sanctions.
These overlapping tensions have heightened concerns over regional stability, global energy markets and the security of key shipping routes in the Gulf.
Anwar said Malaysia “supports this initiative and encourages in particular the United States and Iran to respond in the spirit in which it was offered.”
He added that there are “signals, however incomplete, that suggest some space for diplomacy may still exist,” and stressed that “that space should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.”
The Prime Minister emphasised that negotiations must be grounded in genuine intent, saying: “Any negotiation must proceed on the basis of genuine intent: a clear commitment to ending the conflict, not managing its tempo for tactical advantage.”
“The international community has seen too many ceasefires that function as pauses rather than conclusions. The region deserves something more durable,” he said.
Anwar also reaffirmed Iran’s right to defend itself, stating: “Malaysia reaffirms Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty, as recognised under international law, particularly in the face of continued Israeli strikes in the country and in Lebanon.”
At the same time, he called for restraint, saying all parties must “exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that civilian populations and the infrastructure of neighbouring states… are not drawn further into a conflict they did not choose.”
“The Gulf states, the region and the world have much at stake — economically, socially and in terms of long-term stability — and their peoples must not bear the consequences of decisions taken elsewhere,” he added.
The Prime Minister also raised concerns over inconsistencies in the application of international law.
“International law cannot be invoked selectively. It cannot shield one party from accountability while denying another its inherent right to self-defence. Its credibility depends on consistency,” he said.
Anwar said he had held discussions with leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan and Pakistan to better understand the situation and advocate for de-escalation.
He added that Malaysia “will continue to support every credible effort towards a just and lasting peace.”
