Anwar stresses Hormuz safety in first meeting with Iranian president

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held his first face-to-face meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New Delhi, India. During the encounter, Anwar stressed the importance of maintaining safe maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international law. He also expressed Malaysia's worry over ongoing conflict and tension in West Asia, urging all parties to resume dialogue and diplomacy.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, following several telephone conversations between the two leaders since Pezeshkian became president in July 2024. Hormuz has been a major concern for Malaysia due to shipping disruptions earlier this year. Anwar had previously requested Iran's assistance for Malaysian-owned vessels impacted by the issue, which led to Iran allowing the ships through the strait.

In addition to discussing maritime safety and regional tensions, Anwar and Pezeshkian explored opportunities for expanding trade and investment ties in various sectors such as energy, agriculture, palm oil, food security, and the halal industry. They also demonstrated interest in strengthening cooperation in technology and higher education, reaffirming the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Malaysia and Iran.