Anwar urges peaceful resolution to Middle East tensions, condemns attacks

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for tensions in the Middle East to be resolved through peaceful, wise and responsible diplomatic efforts, while condemning continued attacks and aggression in the region.

He said Malaysia firmly rejected any form of attack and aggression, including drone strikes and military actions by Israel and the United States, which continue to claim innocent lives.

Anwar said this after a telephone conversation with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he conveyed Eid Mubarak greetings, fraternal salutations and prayers from the Malaysian people to the Iranian nation.

“I pray that Iran will return to peace soon and that all tensions and bloodshed will end through peaceful, wise and responsible diplomacy,” he said in a Facebook post

The prime minister also expressed appreciation for Iran’s cooperation in facilitating the release of a Malaysian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz recently, saying such mutual respect and friendship should be further strengthened in bilateral relations.

President Pezeshkian, in turn, expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s consistent stance in upholding peace, justice and humanitarian principles on the international stage, and extended an invitation for Anwar to visit Tehran to further strengthen bilateral relations and strategic cooperation.

Anwar said he would arrange a suitable time for the visit, adding that Iran remained close to his heart, given longstanding ties of friendship and shared commitment to knowledge, fraternity and humanitarian values.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times