{
  "id": 6909583,
  "title": "Iran president says Middle East has no need for US ‘policeman’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/iran-president-says-middle-east-has-no-need-for-us-policeman",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T10:07:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/12/iran-president-says-middle-east-has-no-need-for-us-policeman"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that the Middle East does not require the United States to act as a regional policeman during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a BRICS summit in India. Pezeshkian emphasized that the territorial integrity and security of the region must be guaranteed by its main players and the countries that comprise it, following the ongoing war between Iran and the US. This conflict began on February 28 when US-Israeli strikes killed Iran's supreme leader, prompting a retaliatory attack from Iran across the region and a blockade of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Since then, the US has been competing with Iran for control of this critical waterway, which formerly allowed one-fifth of the world's oil to pass through. Iran now requires ships to obtain permission to pass through the strait and has threatened to charge service fees for non-compliant vessels, resulting in regular strikes on ships that do not comply. The US has also periodically bombed the Iranian coastline to challenge Iran's control over the strait. Despite the immense suffering endured by the Iranian people, Pezeshkian reiterated that peace remains the country's top priority, rejecting both the desire and continuation of war.",
  "summary": "Masoud Pezeshkian insists the region's territorial integrity and security can only be guaranteed by its main players and member countries.",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran's President Pezeshkian stated Middle East doesn't need US as regional policeman.",
    "Conflict between Iran and US started Feb 28 with US-Israeli strikes killing Iran's supreme leader.",
    "Iran now controls Strait of Hormuz, requiring ships to obtain permission to pass through."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Anwar calls for 'maximum restraint' as Middle East conflict drags on",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/anwar-calls-for-maximum-restraint-as-middle-east-conflict-drags-on",
        "published": "2026-09-12T08:24:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Lee reassures public over oil prices amid escalating Middle East tensions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/lee-reassures-public-over-oil-prices-amid-escalating-middle-east",
        "published": "2026-09-12T09:09:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Modi faces BRICS unity test as Middle East war deepens",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/modi-faces-brics-unity-test-as-middle-east-war-deepens",
        "published": "2026-09-12T09:26:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "President Lee reassures public over oil prices amid escalating Middle East tensions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/president-lee-reassures-public-over-oil-prices-amid-escalating-middle",
        "published": "2026-09-12T09:52:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Iran president says Middle East has no need for US ‘policeman’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/iran-president-says-middle-east-has-no-need-for-us-policeman-6913575",
        "published": "2026-09-12T10:07:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Xi’s message to BRICS as Middle East war rages",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/xis-message-to-brics-as-middle-east-war-rages",
        "published": "2026-09-12T10:27:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}