ASEAN calls for ceasefire after 'regrettable' Middle East escalation

ters have described the escalation of conflict in the Middle East as “regrettable”, and called for an immediate ceasefire after the US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks across that region, raising concerns over civilian safety and global stability.

- Mara Cepeda

The joint statement on March 4 came four days after the Feb 28 attack that triggered the latest conflict, which has seen most Southeast Asian governments issuing their own calls for restraint and diplomacy.

“This escalation is particularly regrettable as it occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives led by the Sultanate of Oman aimed at advancing a negotiated solution,” the regional grouping said in the statement.

The US-Israeli attack prompted retaliatory strikes by Tehran against several countries in the region, including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.

Oman had been mediating talks between Washington and Tehran for weeks before the attack on Iran in an effort to revive negotiations and prevent further escalation in the Middle East.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on March 3 that diplomatic options to deescalate the crisis were still “available”, urging an immediate ceasefire and a return to regional diplomacy.

ASEAN is following the situation closely and is very concerned about the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, the March 4 statement added.

The ASEAN foreign ministers warned that the developments posed “a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability”.

The joint statement reflects growing concern across the region that the crisis could further desta bilise global security while affecting citizens of Southeast Asia living and working in the Middle East.