Iran ready to cooperate with ASEAN, assures regional stability will not be affected - Ambassador

KUALA LUMPUR: Iran has asserted that the ongoing conflict involving the country will not affect regional stability in Asia, including Southeast Asia, and is ready to strengthen economic and diplomatic cooperation with ASEAN.

AI Brief

Iran values ties with Malaysia and ASEAN, urging regional support against Israel's alleged violations of international law.
Iran vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and says it does not want war but will respond to attacks if necessary.
Tehran cut ties with the IAEA over inaction on Israeli strikes but remains open to nuclear talks for peaceful purposes.

Iran’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, said Tehran has a strong interest in expanding ties with the region, particularly through multilateral engagement with regional blocs such as ASEAN.

“Iran considers Malaysia a close friend, and ties between our countries remain strong. What is happening (the conflict) will not impact this relationship or the stability of the region,” he said in an exclusive interview with the media here.

He also called on the international community, including ASEAN, to voice support for Iran, particularly in condemning what he described as Israel’s violations of international law.

“Many regional and international blocs, including the OIC, NAM, GCC, and BRICS, have condemned Israel’s actions. We hope ASEAN will also take a stand,” he said.

Commenting on the Strait of Hormuz — a key global trade route — Valiollah assured that Iran would not restrict access to the waterway, especially for neighbouring countries.

“As of now, there is no issue in the Strait of Hormuz. It remains open for trade and we will not impose any obstacles. However, should the situation change in the future, we will make an appropriate decision,” he explained.

On current security threats, he stressed that Iran does not want war, but will defend itself if attacked.

“We do not like war, but if attacked, it is our duty to defend our country and our civilisation,” he said firmly, likening the current situation to the time Iran had to defend itself during its eight-year war with Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq.

Valiollah also condemned Israeli attacks not just in Iran, but also in Palestine and other countries in the region, criticising the international community’s failure to respond adequately.

Expounding on Iran’s decision to sever ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said that although Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its nuclear activities are monitored by the United Nations, the agency has failed to protect its member states.

“Israel is not a signatory to the NPT, yet it attacks us. International agencies are supposed to protect their members. We severed ties with the IAEA because it failed to condemn Israel’s attacks,” he said.

On nuclear negotiations with the United States, Valiollah said Iran remains open to talks and is committed to demonstrating that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, including in medicine, agriculture, and technology.

“During the previous negotiations, both sides were optimistic. But many believe Israel’s attack was aimed at sabotaging the agreement. We are still willing to negotiate, because we uphold international law,” he added.

He also commented on U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to give a two-week window for talks, only to launch an attack earlier than expected, saying: “We cannot take everything Trump says as absolute truth.”

Israel attacked nuclear and military sites in Iran on Friday, June 13, claiming Tehran was developing a nuclear weapon. The United States joined the attack shortly after, but the conflict has now reached a ceasefire, although both sides continue to accuse each other of breaching the agreement.