Dialogue, diplomacy vital to ending Mideast crisis, says Tok Mat

 Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan says he held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said he discussed the rising tensions in the Middle East and the importance of ensuring global economic and energy stability with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

PETALING JAYA:

 Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan has held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, on the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East conflict.

In a Facebook post, Mohamad said their phone conversation yesterday focused on the rising tensions in the region and the importance of safeguarding key maritime routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, to ensure global economic and energy stability.

“I conveyed Malaysia’s hope for an immediate, comprehensive, and lasting ceasefire,” said Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat.

“The importance of dialogue and diplomacy in easing tensions and ending the war is crucial at this time.”

Mohamad also talked with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, to express Malaysia’s concerns about the war and its support for Oman’s mediation efforts.

“I also hope that diplomatic negotiations will continue to ensure an immediate end to the war,” he said.

Earlier today, Iran’s military rejected US president Donald Trump’s assertion that the US was in negotiations to end the conflict, which has disrupted energy and financial markets.

Reuters reported that the rejection by the Unified Command of the Iranian Armed Forces came amid reports that the US had submitted a 15-point plan for discussion with Tehran.

The US and Israel launched large-scale airstrikes against Iran on Feb 28, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran on US bases and allied positions.

Following the US-Israel strikes, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, causing crude oil prices to surge to around US$100 per barrel. - FMT