Malaysia should call for restraint over Iran conflict, says analyst
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as Asean chair, should urge global power blocs to exercise restraint and work together over the Iran-Israel conflict, an analyst said.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan criticised the West—including the United States, United Kingdom and France—and the opposing bloc of Russia and China for acting independently in handling the crisis.
He also questioned US President Donald Trump's statement calling on Iran to seek peace, made just after announcing airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
"It is very ironic that when you attack a country and ask them not to retaliate. It is rather odd," Azmi said.
He said Trump may have believed the strikes would pressure Iran into surrendering, but said such a scenario was unlikely.
"I don't think (Iran will surrender). What we've seen in the past few hours in Iran itself suggests there is a demonstration of support for their government."
Azmi warned that the airstrikes could worsen tensions, noting that Iran has already fired another round of missiles following the US attack.
Earlier today, the United States confirmed it had attacked three Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, marking its entry into the conflict.
The war began with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian strategic sites, prompting immediate retaliation from Tehran.
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The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Seoul seeks to minimise fallout from US strikes on Iran
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According to Kang, Wi also 'called on relevant ministries to maintain close communication and cooperation to minimise the impact that the recent series of developments in the Middle East may have on the security and economic situation of the Korean Peninsula." Kang underscored that 'the discussions spearheaded by the presidential office will continue, closely monitoring developments related to the current situation and taking into account potential changes in circumstances.' The emergency meeting was also attended by first deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong, second deputy adviser Lim Woong-soon, and third deputy adviser Oh Hyun-joo, as well as Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Growth Ha Joon-kyung, among others. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina held a joint emergency response meeting between the Foreign Ministry headquarters and the South Korean Embassy in Iran on Sunday afternoon to review safety measures for South Korean nationals and assess the situation in Iran, according to the Foreign Ministry in Seoul. 'Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina called for leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of our nationals living in Iran, given that the situation could further deteriorate following the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities,' the ministry said in a statement. Kim also 'ordered watertight measures to ensure the safety of embassy staff.' 'The Foreign Ministry will devise necessary measures for the safety of our nationals while closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East,' the ministry added. As of Saturday, around 60 South Korean nationals remained in Iran, down from approximately 110 who were staying in the country as of June 13, when the exchange of airstrikes began with Israel's surprise attack on Iran. According to the Foreign Ministry, a total of 56 South Korean nationals and their Iranian family members had fled Iran and entered Turkmenistan as of Saturday. Among them were 51 South Koreans and 5 Iranians. In Israel, around 460 South Korean nationals remain. This follows the evacuation of 25 South Koreans and one Israeli family member to Jordan on Thursday, and a separate evacuation of 23 South Koreans to Jordan on June 16. On the same day, Second Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Choe Nam-ho held an emergency session for a comprehensive situation assessment meeting to evaluate potential effects on domestic industries, including energy, exports, logistics, supply chains and South Korean companies operating in the region. After the meeting, the ministry said it has activated an emergency response team in response to rising Middle East tensions. The meeting was held amid growing concerns over possible disruptions to crude oil and liquefied natural gas or LNG imports, as well as the operational status of tankers navigating waters near the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for both South Korean and global energy shipments. According to a database provided by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, around 99 percent of Middle East-produced crude oil bound for South Korea passes through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the KOTRA. Separately, Acting Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il convened a closed-door emergency response meeting with relevant agencies on Sunday afternoon to assess the economic impact of the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Tensions escalated as US President Trump announced early Sunday that the United States had struck three Iranian nuclear sites — in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — joining Israel's airstrikes against Iran on the 10th day of the Israel-Iran conflict. In response to the US strikes, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday, 'Our government hopes that tensions in the region will be alleviated rapidly and will continue to participate in international efforts toward that end.' 'Our government places importance on resolving the Iranian nuclear issue from the perspective of nuclear nonproliferation and is closely monitoring developments related to the attack on nuclear facilities in Iran this morning, Korea time,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. - The Korea Herald/ANN
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
'Nothing left': Israelis wake to devastation after Iran retaliates
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
EU urges 'all sides to step back' after US strikes Iran
BRUSSELS: The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on Sunday called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations after the United States joined Israel's war with Iran by striking the country's nuclear sites. Kallas said that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, describing the possibility as "a threat to international security" – but stressed that Brussels remained committed to diplomacy, at a flashpoint moment for the Middle East. "I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation," Kallas wrote on X, adding that EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation on Monday. Top diplomats from the bloc's 27 nations were already due to gather in Brussels for talks on a range of issues, from Russia's war in Ukraine to Gaza, but Iran is now expected to dominate the agenda. Kallas's appeal came after she joined top diplomats from France, Germany and Britain for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday. The European powers had urged Tehran to revive diplomatic efforts with the United States to find a solution in the standoff over its nuclear programme. But Iran had retorted that it could only consider diplomacy once Israel halted its bombardment of the Islamic republic. Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran on June 13. Tehran has responded by firing missiles at Israel, and had vowed to retaliate if Washington joined in. — AFP
