KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia is closely monitoring the safety of 29,112 Malaysians in several Middle Eastern countries affected by the escalating conflict following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar said the government is prepared to bring Malaysians home if necessary, but evacuation efforts are currently constrained as much of the region’s airspace has been closed, with flights operating only from Saudi Arabia.
“As the government, we are responsible for safeguarding and ensuring the safety of Malaysians so that their presence there is secure,” he said when tabling a motion condemning what he described as Israel’s brazen and violent attacks on Iran, which were backed by the US.
He said most Malaysians in the region are working adults who have settled there, while others are tourists and umrah pilgrims. The majority are residing in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
According to Bernama, Anwar also reiterated Malaysia’s strong condemnation of the Israeli Zionist regime and the US, saying the attacks violated the principles of the United Nations Charter and infringed on Iran’s sovereignty.
“The intrusion into Iran’s sovereignty constitutes a clear breach of the international legal order and could drag the region into a broader conflict.
“The ongoing military actions risk causing a major escalation that threatens regional stability, particularly in the Gulf countries. Malaysia calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and a constructive return to the negotiation table,” he said.
He added that Israel has consistently defied international resolutions, citing previous attacks in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, as well as the ongoing violence in Gaza.
Malaysia, he said, must take a firm stance against actions that contravene the international order to uphold the sovereignty of independent nations.
Anwar also urged Gulf countries to unite and hold defence consultations to safeguard the region’s freedom and sovereignty, warning that without concrete cooperation, attacks on sovereign states could continue.
The US and Israel launched a series of strikes on targets in Iran on Saturday, including in Tehran, with reports of civilian casualties. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was reported killed following the strikes, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency. — March 2, 2026