KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday welcomed Pakistan’s offer to host talks between the United States and Iran, calling it a “timely and constructive” initiative at a moment of heightened regional tensions.
In a statement, Ibrahim commended Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and leaders of other countries for stepping forward to facilitate dialogue following earlier mediation efforts by Oman and other countries.
The Malaysian PM said Pakistan’s ties with all parties and its standing in the Muslim world placed it in a strong position to help create conditions for meaningful negotiations.
“Malaysia supports this initiative and encourages in particular the United States and Iran to respond in the spirit in which it was offered,” he said.
Anwar Ibrahim said there were tentative signals that space for diplomacy still existed but warned that such opportunities must be treated seriously.
“Any negotiation must proceed on the basis of genuine intent — a clear commitment to ending the conflict, not managing its tempo for tactical advantage,” he said.
He cautioned against temporary ceasefires that serve only as pauses, saying the region required a durable resolution.
I welcome Pakistan’s timely and constructive offer to host dialogue between the United States and Iran. I commend Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leaders of other friendly nations for stepping forward at a moment of acute regional danger, following the earlier commendable… pic.twitter.com/ObtNuey9OS
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) March 25, 2026
The Malaysian PM urged all sides to exercise restraint. He stressed that civilian populations and infrastructure in neighbouring Gulf states must not be drawn further into the conflict.
Pakistan offers to host talks
Anwar Ibrahim’s statement came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan was ready to host “meaningful and conclusive talks” between Washington and Tehran.
In a statement posted on social media, PM Sharif said that Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the Middle East war, in the interest of peace and stability in the region and beyond.
“Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” PM Sharif said in a statement posted on X.
Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 24, 2026
Soon after, Donald Trump shared a screenshot of PM Sharif’s statement on his Truth Social platform, signalling Washington’s awareness of the offer.
US conveys 15-point proposal to Iran via Pakistan
Meanwhile, two senior officials in Islamabad, cited by AFP, said that a 15-point US proposal aimed at ending the war had been conveyed to Iran through Pakistani intermediaries.
Pakistan has emerged as a key diplomatic channel due to its ties with both Tehran and Washington.
AP, citing sources familiar with the plan, also said the proposal had been delivered via Pakistani officials as part of efforts to restart negotiations.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reiterated its support for a diplomatic resolution. Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said efforts were under way but required discretion.
“Diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain matters be advanced with discretion,” he said, urging media to avoid speculation.
As part of ongoing engagement, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier this week, stressing dialogue to ensure regional stability.
