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- 'Clear aim' of Israeli strikes against Iran was to 'sabotage' ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran, says Malaysian Premier Anwar

KARACHI, Pakistan / ISTANBUL

Overnight Israeli attacks on Iran have drawn ire across Asia-Pacific nations, with many calling on the international community to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to step back from further escalation.

Pledging diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya condemned the Israeli assault as “escalating the situation.”

It "is extremely regrettable" that Israel took military action despite continuing talks between the US and Iran toward a peaceful resolution, Iwaya said.

Israel launched a sweeping military operation against Iran early Friday, with strikes targeting its nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities, Israeli Army Radio reported.

Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency and closed its airspace, diverting all flights to other countries, Hebrew-language media reported.

The Israeli army said a total of 200 fighter jets took part in the assault, dropping 330 munitions on various targets.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim “strongly” condemned the strikes, saying: “This is a grave and reckless act, one that threatens to further destabilise a fragile region.”

Anwar said the “clear aim” of the strikes was to “sabotage the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.”

“It also comes amid renewed scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and mounting political pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu,” he added in a post on X.

Malaysia also called on Israel’s partners — “especially those with influence and leverage” — to apply maximum pressure to halt further aggression.

The international community must not enable actions that sabotage diplomacy and endanger global peace, he added.

Iran has right to self-defense: Pakistan

Pakistan expressed “resolute” solidarity with the Iranian people, “strongly” condemning what it called the “unjustified and illegitimate” Israeli aggression.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Israel had violated the UN Charter and the basic tenets of international law. "Iran has the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter," it said.

The ministry “unequivocally” denounced Israel’s “blatant provocations, which constitute a grave danger and a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond, with serious implications.”

In a post on X, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Israel’s attack a “grave” and “highly irresponsible” act that risks further destabilizing an already volatile region.

He urged the UN and international community to act urgently to prevent any further escalation that could threaten regional and global peace.

The Afghan interim administration led by the Taliban also condemned the attacks.

"Assassination of military commanders and nuclear scientists is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law, especially the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries," chief spokesman Zabihulla Mujahid said in a statement on X.

Mujahid noted that the strikes came as Palestinians, especially in Gaza, were “still under the relentless and catastrophic Israeli attacks,” adding: “Such actions, which increase violence, have further complicated and alarmed the situation in the region.”

Indonesia also “strongly” condemned the Israeli strikes, stating that the actions had undermined the foundations of international law.

The National Alliance of Muslim Communities of Sri Lanka also condemned Israel’s military aggression.

The Israeli attack “constitutes a grave violation of international law, undermines global stability, and disregards the fundamental principles of peaceful coexistence,” it said, according to News Wire.

The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran and urged the international community and UN to “act collectively in support of a stable Middle East.”

“This blatant act of hostility constitutes a clear violation of United Nations Charter and fundamental principles of international law and the sovereignty of Iran. It poses a serious threat to regional and global peace and security with far reaching consequences,” it said in a statement.

Australia and New Zealand express alarm

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra was “alarmed” by the developments and urged against “actions and rhetoric that risk further destabilization.”

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Wellington was “gravely concerned” by the escalation, warning that further retaliatory moves “significantly increase the risk of a regional war.”

“This would have catastrophic consequences in the Middle East,” Peters said in a post on X.

“It is critical that all actors prioritize de-escalation. The best path to regional security is the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran,” he added.

India issued a brief statement saying it was deeply “concerned” about the rising tensions between Iran and Israel, and urged all parties to refrain from “any escalatory steps.”

The Chinese Embassy in Tehran described the security situation as “severe and complicated,” and urged Chinese citizens and businesses in Iran to monitor developments closely and take precautions.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instructed officials to ensure the safety of the country's citizens in the Middle East following the Israeli strikes, according to Yonhap News.