TEHRAN – Iranian President Masudo Pezeshkian and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim jointly called for urgent collective action by the Muslim state to stop the Israeli massacre campaign in Gaza during a telephone conversation on Wednesday.
Peszeschian emphasized the important need for Islamic unity, saying, “The atrocities committed by the Zionist regime in Gaza are unacceptable to free humans.”
He urged Muslim countries to adopt “active diplomacy and diplomatic pressure” to prevent further crimes, adding that collective efforts are “very effective in facing crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza.”
The Iranian president reiterated Tehran’s consistent stance.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was strongly in line with this position and detailed Malaysia’s response. “The Malaysian government has issued a powerful statement condemning Israeli crimes in Gaza and has made extensive diplomatic efforts to stop genocide,” he expressed his hope that “through cooperation with other Islamic countries, these crimes can be prevented.”
Leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral relations based on a robust economic foundation. Recent data shows that bilateral trade reached RM2.6 billion (USD 570 million) in 2024. This is an increase of 24.6% since 2023.
Iran is Malaysia’s seventh largest trading partner in West Asia, expanding cooperation in medical tourism, agriculture and defence technology. Furthermore, Malaysia is Iran’s largest trading partner among ASEAN (Southeast Asian Associations) member countries.
The leader’s urgent calls arise amidst Gaza’s overwhelming humanitarian crisis. Since October 2023, the Israeli regime has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, including more than 25,000 children.
Hungry claims the lives of more than 180 individuals, of which 93 were children. The conflict has driven out about 85% of Gaza’s population, causing families and communities to become vulnerable. Meanwhile, the Israeli regime continues to block aid convoys, systematically dismantle medical infrastructure, further exacerbating efforts to suffer and sabotage.
UN experts have confirmed that Tel Aviv’s “deliberate hunger tactics” constitute a war crime, and the conditions of hunger are intentionally designed through aid restrictions. The recent “humanitarian corridor” operation has created massive civilian casualties, including the killing of 1,400 Palestinians at aid distribution points since May.