Malaysia should call for restraint over Iran conflict, says analyst
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan criticised the West—including the United States, United Kingdom and France—and the opposing bloc of Russia and China for acting independently in handling the crisis.
He also questioned US President Donald Trump's statement calling on Iran to seek peace, made just after announcing airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
"It is very ironic that when you attack a country and ask them not to retaliate. It is rather odd," Azmi said.
He said Trump may have believed the strikes would pressure Iran into surrendering, but said such a scenario was unlikely.
"I don't think (Iran will surrender). What we've seen in the past few hours in Iran itself suggests there is a demonstration of support for their government."
Azmi warned that the airstrikes could worsen tensions, noting that Iran has already fired another round of missiles following the US attack.
Earlier today, the United States confirmed it had attacked three Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow uranium enrichment facility, marking its entry into the conflict.
The war began with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian strategic sites, prompting immediate retaliation from Tehran.
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