Latest news with #OrganisationofIslamicCooperation
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Strong ties with US don't mean blind support for unjust policies, says Ishaq Dar
FM Ishaq Dar in meeting to review ongoing evacuation of Pakistani nationals/zaireen presently stranded in Iran & Iraq on June 18. Photo: Strong ties with the United States will not mean unconditional support for its policies, especially when they are unjust, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday. Briefing the press in Islamabad, the deputy PM emphasised that Pakistan was aware that Iran would not remain passive after the US bombed three of its nuclear facilities. Dar was speaking in reference to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting, where the 12-day Iran-Israel war was a primary topic of discussion. He highlighted Pakistan's efforts to ensure that a special session on Iran was held, which was agreed upon by the foreign ministers of OIC member states. Dar also noted that Pakistan had been in constant communication with Iranian officials, including discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Iranian leadership. During the briefing, Dar explained that Iran had praised Pakistan's diplomatic efforts in both the United Nations Security Council and their parliament. He shared details of an important meeting in Istanbul, which took place during a visit by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, which was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and other Turkish leaders to address the situation in Iran. Dar said that after the US attack on Iran, Pakistan had been informed by Tehran that while Iran was not developing nuclear weapons, it could not ignore the US attack and would retaliate. Iran's response entailed an attack on a US airbase in Qatar. Dar made it clear that while Pakistan values its relationship with the US, this does not mean aligning with Washington on every issue, especially when it comes to unjust military actions. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to a peaceful resolution and its efforts to ensure the ceasefire holds.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia and Vietnam are partnering to tap global halal economy, says Malaysian envoy
Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai. HANOI/PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Malaysia and Vietnam are poised to forge a smart partnership and leverage their existing economic complementarities to tap into the booming global halal footprint. Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai said that entering the halal market requires a deep understanding of its standards and the needs of its consumers, which could be addressed by both nations forming a practical strategy for future long-term growth. Vietnam is racing to capture a slice of the billion-dollar international halal market with its robust agricultural sector exports. "To accelerate Vietnam's entry, Malaysia proposes a practical and effective strategy. This strategy invites Vietnamese enterprises to leverage Malaysia's established halal infrastructure, including our certification facilities and readily available halal-certified ingredients. "This approach streamlines the process, allowing Vietnamese businesses to meet international standards more easily and get their products to market faster,' Tan told participants at the Accessing the Global Halal Market - Opportunities for Vietnamese Enterprises seminar in Hanoi on Wednesday. Vietnam's agricultural sector generated RM263 billion (US$62.4 billion) in export turnover last year while recording a trade surplus of RM81 billion (US$18.6 billion). The Vietnam Halal Centre estimates the country can produce RM144 billion (US$34 billion) worth of goods for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. "Vietnam is an agricultural surplus nation. "It possesses an abundance of halal potential raw materials including coffee, rice, marine products, aquaculture products, spices, nuts, vegetables, and fruit, which indicate high potential in producing end products,' Vietnam Halal Certification Agency (HALCERT) Director Ramlan Osman told Bernama from Hanoi. Tan encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to source Malaysian halal ingredients to simplify the production of halal-certified goods. The upcoming Malaysia International Halal Showcase 6 (MIHAS) in Kuala Lumpur from September 17 to 20, 2025 provides an ideal avenue to explore these possibilities. "By working together, we can unlock immense opportunities for growth and prosperity. "With Vietnam's entrepreneurial spirit and our shared commitment to collaboration, I am confident that Vietnam will become a significant and successful player in the global halal economy,' said Tan. - Bernam
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Good neighbours - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Addressing the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), on 21 June, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had warned of the danger of the conflict between Israel and Iran. 'Our region cannot afford more war and instability,' he said. Instead of choosing to live side-by-side in peace with a sovereign and independent state within the 1967 borders, Israel has unfortunately chosen to engulf the entire region in war. 'It is obvious that these aggressive acts, which violate international law, serve the strategic destabilisation policy that Israel is pursuing in the region… Those who assume they can establish their security by drowning the region in fire, conflict, chaos and tears are dreaming. Israel cannot ensure its security by threatening the security of its neighbours.' The Turkish president simultaneously stressed Iran's right to defend itself. 'The measures Iran has been taking in the face of Israel's state terror are totally natural, legitimate and legal… We have no doubt that the Iranian people, with their thousands of years of history, their resilience against challenges, and their strong statecraft, will overcome these difficult days.' Ankara condemned the unprovoked Israeli war on Iran from the outset, describing it as a 'blatant provocation' in violation of international law. 'The international community must put an end to Israel's banditry, which threatens global and regional stability,' Erdoğan tweeted on X on 13 June. Although the Turkish Defence Ministry denied reports that Israeli warplanes violated Turkish airspace on the first day of the war, it nevertheless issued a stern warning against any encroachments. Turkey had ramped up its air defence systems and was prepared for all possible scenarios, Turkish Defence Ministry officials said. Ankara had offered to mediate between Tehran and Washington, in the hope that the latter will pressure Israel to cease its aggression. Tel Aviv rejected a Turkish diplomatic intervention, ostensibly because Ankara took a stance in support of Tehran. In fact, President Erdoğan went further, expressing his long-standing aversion to the Israeli leadership. 'Netanyahu has long since surpassed the tyrant Hitler in the crime of genocide,' he said in a Justice and Development Party (AKP) group meeting last week. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar lashed out against Erdoğan in response. 'Erdoğan, who holds the record for suppressing freedoms and citizens' rights, as well as for oppressing the opposition in his own country, dares to preach to others,' he fumed on X. Earlier that day, in a conversation with the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on events in the Middle East, Erdoğan described Netanyahu as 'the greatest threat to the region's security.' Rhetoric aside, Turkey was keen to de-escalate the conflict for fear of the devastating repercussions a protracted wider conflict would have on Turkish national interests. Turkey has an approximately 530 km long border with Iran and it is aware that Israel-US designs to instigate regime change or, worse, long-term civil strife and instability in Iran would spill over into Turkey, as was the case with Syria. Iran, like Iraq and Syria, has large, predominantly Kurdish regions located in the north, adjacent to both Iraq and Turkey. Ankara feared a breakdown in the central Iranian state would open up opportunities for Iranian Kurdish nationalist movements to push for independence or at least autonomy, as the Kurdish regions in Iraq and northeastern Syria have done. This in turn might have inspired transnational aspirations among Turkey's large Kurdish community in southeastern Anatolia. Turkey also feared another refugee crisis. Upheaval in Iran could have driven thousands of Iranians to attempt to cross into Turkey, a prospect heightened by Netanyahu's call to Iranians – echoed by Trump – to evacuate Tehran. Already there have been unconfirmed reports of hundreds of Iranians trying to enter Turkey through the Kapıköy-Razi and the Gürbulak-Bazargan crossings. Other reports indicate a surge in the demand for the Turkish lira. Another wave of refugees could be politically explosive for the Erdoğan government, given the deep sensitivities surrounding Syrian refugees, a hot button issue that has been associated with declining popularity ratings of both the AKP and Erdoğan. Israeli-US engineered anarchy in Iran would also impact Iranian natural gas exports to Turkey. Iran is one of Turkey's most important energy suppliers, meeting about 17.1 per cent of Turkey's energy needs. Under a long-term supply agreement set to expire in July 2026, Iran pumps an average of 9.6 billion cubic metres of gas a year into Turkey. However, the Israeli strike against the South Pars gas field and other Iranian petroleum infrastructure has led to Turkish concerns over its energy security. Such fears were aggravated by the possibility that Iran could block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, wreaking havoc in global energy supply chains and causing worldwide energy costs and skyrocketing inflation. The Turkish economy would additionally suffer a drop in tourism. Over 463,800 Iranian tourists visited Turkey in January and February 2025, according to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, unseating Russians as the country's top visitors in those months. A prolonged conflict and its potential impacts on international stability and the global economy could severely impact tourism to Turkey, in general, a vital source of national revenue. Alluding to the secret pact between the British and French colonial powers during World War I to divvy up the Middle East, Erdoğan told the OIC Foreign Ministers Council, 'Turkey will never allow the establishment of a new Sykes–Picot order whose borders will be drawn with blood in our region.' * A version of this article appears in print in the 26 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Iran Appreciates Malaysia's Support During 12-day Attack
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) — Iran has expressed deep appreciation to the Malaysian government and its people for their support during the 12-day Israeli assault on the country that began on June 13, according to its Ambassador to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi. He also thanked Malaysia for taking a firm stance against Israel's actions, which he said were in clear violation of international law. 'I would like to thank all of them (Malaysians). Of course, we coordinated with the Malaysian government,' he told the media at the Iranian Embassy on Thursday. bootstrap slideshow He said Malaysians can now travel to Iran at any time, as the situation remained stable during the attack and continues to be so during the current ceasefire. Valiollah said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a phone conversation with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday to discuss how Iran and Malaysia can collaborate to promote peace and security in the region, particularly in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. Asked how Iran hopes to work with Malaysia, the ambassador said Malaysia's influential voice in the international arena, particularly within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations, could help rally global efforts to stop Israel from launching further attacks, adding that without Iran's self-defence, other countries could be next. Valiollah said Iran hopes to work with ASEAN as a friendly bloc and expand its relations with the region. Regional tension escalated in the Middle East since June 13 after Israel launched coordinated air strikes on multiple sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes. The conflict escalated further when the US conducted aerial attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan early June 22.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
No plans to close Strait of Hormuz, regional trade route protected, says Iran envoy
PETALING JAYA: Trade passage through the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and unaffected as Iran seeks to deepen its economic ties with Malaysia and Asean countries, says Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi. Valiollah said Iran's assurance, despite its ongoing conflict with Israel, was to protect international trade and the economic interests of South-East Asian countries, like Malaysia, as reported by Sinar Harian. He also said that Iran currently had no intention to close the key trade route and will continue to maintain security for the Strait. 'Iran does not restrict any trade routes and we want this region to remain open for trade and economic cooperation with neighbouring countries, as well as external partners like Malaysia,' he said in a press conference on Thursday (June 26). He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently held discussions to ensure regional peace and establish a framework for trade cooperation between Malaysia and Iran. Valiollah also expressed his gratitude to Malaysia for its support of Iran against Israel's recent military actions against them. 'Malaysia, as the current Asean Chair, has a strong voice at the international level, including in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN), to stop Israel. 'We believe Malaysia can play a role in urging the international community to put an end to any form of Israeli aggression against any country in the region,' he said. On Sunday (June 22), Iran's parliament approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to the United State's airstrikes on three of Iran's major nuclear sites. The Strait of Hormuz currently provides a vital gateway for oil transportation internationally, which Malaysia is a key stakeholder of.
