Anwar Ibrahim Condemns Israeli Strikes on Iran, Calls for Global Action to Uphold International Law
Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian territory, describing them as “punitive,” “unprovoked,” and in clear violation of international law.
Delivering the keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR) in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar stated that the attacks were deliberately aimed at undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts and derailing prospects for peace in the region. “Such actions, carried out with utter impunity, constitute a blatant violation of international law, further eroding the norms that hold the global order together,” he said.
The Prime Minister called on influential global actors to take a clear and decisive stance to prevent further escalation. “We call on those with power and influence to speak plainly and act decisively to restrain further escalation,” he urged.
Also in attendance at the high-level forum were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and ISIS Malaysia Chairman Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah.
Turning attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, Anwar expressed grave concern over what he described as Israel’s relentless military campaign, which has resulted in severe civilian suffering. “The staggering civilian casualties, overwhelmingly women and children, demand far more than pious proclamations of concern,” he said. “They require concerted international action to uphold humanitarian law, secure an immediate ceasefire, and ensure the unfettered delivery of aid to those in desperate need.”
Anwar warned that the credibility of the rules-based international order is now “on trial,” as inaction in the face of mounting atrocities threatens to erode global governance structures.
Reflecting on broader regional dynamics, the Prime Minister noted that similar tensions are unfolding across the Asia Pacific, particularly in the Taiwan Strait, Korean Peninsula, and South China Sea. “Here, as ever, we must insist on the primacy of dialogue over disruption, of law over disorder, of restraint over escalation,” he emphasized.
He reiterated Malaysia’s belief in a regional security architecture that is inclusive, stable, and anchored in international norms, highlighting the importance of active non-alignment as a guiding principle. “While we do not pretend to be able to reshape the region to fit our ideals, we can act to prevent its worst outcomes,” Anwar said. “Stability is not guaranteed, but neither is chaos inevitable.”
He concluded with a call for wise diplomacy, stressing that how nations manage tensions and balance interests today will shape the region’s resilience in the years to come.
