KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the United States and Iran to cease further hostilities and resume diplomatic efforts amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

In a statement posted on social media, Anwar expressed concern that the recent exchange of strikes, which has involved other nations in the Middle East, threatens to expand the conflict regionally and cause greater destruction. He stressed that the party with the most influence in shaping the situation holds a special responsibility to act with restraint and avoid aggravating the crisis.

Anwar emphasized that the sovereignty of other states must be respected and warned against military actions that put civilian populations at risk. He also cautioned against economic measures that could cause hardship for ordinary people and hinder diplomatic engagement, noting that such steps may worsen rather than resolve the situation.

“I urge the United States and Iran to halt further escalation and return immediately to diplomacy and the understandings reached in June,” Anwar said, referring to prior diplomatic agreements. He underscored that a lasting resolution to the conflict can only be achieved through political and diplomatic channels and warned that a broader regional war would have severe consequences for the international community.

The Prime Minister’s comments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following renewed military confrontations between the United States and Iran, with concerns growing that other countries in the region could become involved.