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Peace talks must address US, Israel 'initial aggression', says Anwar

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for West Asian peace negotiations to confront what he characterises as the foundational causes of regional conflict. He expressed concern that international reluctance to acknowledge these origins threatens the viability of diplomatic solutions.

LSN Malaysia · 13 September 2026

Peace talks must address US, Israel 'initial aggression', says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that any meaningful peace process in West Asia must directly address what he terms the 'initial aggression' by the United States and Israel, arguing that glossing over these foundational issues undermines prospects for lasting resolution.

Anwar highlighted a significant diplomatic obstacle: the reluctance among nations to openly recognise and discuss the origins of the conflict. He contended that without acknowledgement of these root causes, peace talks risk becoming superficial exercises that fail to address genuine grievances and tensions fuelling the region's instability.

The Prime Minister's remarks reflect Malaysia's consistent positioning on Middle Eastern affairs, where the country has advocated for balanced approaches that centre the perspectives of affected populations. His comments underscore growing calls from the Global South for peace frameworks that move beyond traditional diplomatic conventions to confront historical and contemporary power dynamics shaping the conflict.

The statement comes amid international efforts to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation in West Asia, with various stakeholders proposing different approaches to resolving longstanding disputes. Anwar's intervention suggests that without addressing foundational grievances, diplomatic initiatives may struggle to gain traction with key regional and international players.