US-Israel Bombing Of Iran A Wrong Move -- Anwar
Fire of Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot is seen following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his concern over the joint United States-Israel bombing of Iran's main nuclear sites last month following the Gaza conflict, calling it a wrong move that disregards diplomacy and the resilience of the Iranian people.
In an interview with France 24 published on the network's digital platforms today, the prime minister emphasised that resolving the Gaza issue required multilateral and fair negotiations.
"I wasn't terribly pleased because I think the way forward is only through negotiations. They (the US) have tried to destroy Iran too many times and you should never ignore the people's resilience," Anwar said.
"It failed to account for the resilience, capacity and tenacity of the Iranian people. What we welcome, of course, is a ceasefire," he added.
Commenting on Western nations' demands – including France's – for Iran to abandon its nuclear programme, Anwar stressed that such calls must be fair and consistent.
"If they want non-proliferation with the understanding that nuclear technology shouldn't be weaponised, that's fair. But it must be applied consistently. These contradictions and hypocrisy have become too apparent, and people no longer accept them," he said.
"This isn't the imperialist or colonial era where you can dictate terms. There must be fairness – why impose restrictions on Iran but not Israel? Why these double standards?" Anwar questioned.
When asked about his decision to contact Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh after October 7, 2023, the Prime Minister said it was in support of a ceasefire initiative, not violence, and stressed that some Western leaders were completely blinded to the atrocities for decades.
Anwar explained he had met Hamas leaders to facilitate dialogue through Qatar, Egypt and the US, adding that there was nothing wrong with pursuing a peace deal through negotiation.
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