KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivered a pointed critique of how major powers have handled escalating tensions with Iran, saying there is a noticeable reluctance among countries to confront the real origins of the current confrontation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with NDTV during the BRICS Summit, Anwar said that while much of the global discourse has focused on Iran's actions, few are willing to trace back where the crisis actually began. "There is a reluctance to state the facts," he observed, suggesting that the roots of the standoff go deeper than official narratives often allow.
The remarks came against a backdrop of heightened military posturing between the United States and Iran, with concerns mounting across the Middle East about the possibility of a full-scale conflict. Anwar's comments reflected a growing frustration among several Global South nations that the conversation around Iran is disproportionately shaped by Western governments, without equal accountability being placed on foreign policies that may have contributed to the deterioration.
The Malaysian leader did not name specific countries but the implication was clear: the chain of events leading to today's tensions did not begin with Iran alone. His remarks aligned with a broader sentiment expressed by several developing nations that international responses to regional crises are often one-sided, with limited willingness to examine the role of external military interventions, sanctions regimes, or diplomatic failures.
BRICS countries have in recent months sought to position themselves as alternative voices in global geopolitics, advocating for a multipolar world order where emerging economies have a greater say in international security discussions. Anwar's intervention at the summit underscored that perspective, pushing for a more honest reckoning with history rather than a selective recounting that places blame solely on one side.
Analysts said the prime minister's words could put additional pressure on Western capitals to address long-standing grievances from the region, even as diplomatic efforts continue to de-escalate the situation. The BRICS gathering provided a platform where such criticisms can be voiced collectively, amplifying voices that might otherwise be marginalised in mainstream international forums.
