Kuala lumpur: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad 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. He emphasized the potential global impact of a war between Iran and the US, noting that it would affect not only Iran and the West Asian region but also have significant repercussions worldwide, including in Malaysia.
He elaborated further that 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. Mohamad 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.
Mohamad highlighted that the closure of these routes would significantly impact the world's oil and gas supply, likely causing a sharp increase in commodity prices. Such disruptions would have both direct and indirect effects on global trade and economic stability, including in Malaysia. He added that any disruption to Iran's oil production or exports would significantly affect global markets, cautioning against a repeat of the economic fallout seen during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disrupted global food and mineral supplies and drove up prices worldwide.
He stated that 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. Mohamad reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to a policy of neutrality and upholding a principled stand in prioritizing global peace and prosperity. He emphasized that Malaysia would condemn any country that commits aggression, wages war, or perpetrates acts of terrorism against humanity, as such actions harm humankind.