MALAYSIA URGES CONTINUED IRAN-US NUCLEAR TALKS, REAFFIRMS NEUTRAL STAND, COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL PEACE

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has expressed hope that the United States (US) and Iran will continue their nuclear negotiations and maintain a diplomatic approach to ease tensions, in order to avoid a war that could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the talks, previously held in Oman and continuing in Geneva today, demonstrated that there remains room for both sides to reach an understanding through diplomatic channels.

He noted that Oman had acted as mediator and facilitator, while Malaysia had also used diplomatic channels to urge both parties to “stand down” and refrain from actions that could trigger an armed conflict.

“If a war were to break out between Iran and the United States, the impact would be immense, not only on Iran and the West Asian region, but also on the world at large, including Malaysia,” he said during the Ministers' Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN–Ketereh) on Wisma Putra’s assessment of the likelihood of armed conflict between Iran and the US and its implications for regional security.

Elaborating further, Mohamad said the increased presence of US military assets in the Persian Sea and the Persian Gulf, including the recent deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, reflected the seriousness of Washington’s position regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

He warned that any large-scale conflict could lead to the closure of strategic routes such as the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies.

“The closure of these routes would affect the world’s oil and gas supply. A shortage would likely drive commodity prices sharply higher.

“This disruption would have both direct and indirect impacts on global trade and the stability of the world economy, including Malaysia,” he said.

Mohamad added that any disruption to Iran’s oil production or exports would significantly affect global markets.

He cautioned that the situation risked repeating the economic fallout seen during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disrupted global food and mineral supplies and drove up prices worldwide.

Mohamad said Malaysia’s assessment of the Iran-US situation was based on reports from Malaysian diplomatic representatives in the region, input from strategic partners, as well as analyses by international bodies.

At the same time, he stressed that Malaysia remains committed to a policy of neutrality and upholds a principled stand in prioritising global peace and prosperity.

“We will condemn any country that commits aggression, wages war or perpetrates acts of terrorism against humanity, regardless of who they are, because such actions bring harm to humankind,” he said.

-- BERNAMA