Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that any negotiation between the US and Iran “must proceed on the basis of genuine intent: a clear commitment to ending the conflict, not managing its tempo for tactical advantage”.

He affirmed Iran’s “right to defend its sovereignty, as recognised under international law, particularly in the face of continued Israeli strikes in the country and in Lebanon”.

“At the same time, we call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to ensure that civilian populations and the infrastructure of neighbouring states, namely the Gulf states, are not drawn further into a conflict they did not choose,” the Malaysian premier added.