Situation may worsen in absence of solution: Shama Obaed on Iran war

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam yesterday (12 April) said the situation could deteriorate further, affecting the world, if a solution does not emerge from the US-Iran peace talks.

“Every country will be affected – economically, socially, and in every way. We don’t want that at all,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that they want the talks to be expedited and a resolution to be reached.

Meanwhile, the State Minister requested Iran to consider facilitating the safe passage of Bangladesh-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

She raised the issue when Ambassador of Iran to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi met her.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral issues and the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Both sides emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the region and beyond.

She also assured the Ambassador of Bangladesh’s full cooperation in the discharge of his duties.

Donald Trump on Sunday said the US Navy would “immediately” begin a blockade to stop ships from entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, after historic US-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement or clear next diplomatic steps.

In his first public comments after the 21-hour talks, Trump sought to exert strategic control over the waterway responsible for shipping 20% of global oil supplies before the war, hoping to eliminate Iran’s key source of leverage, reports AP.

A US blockade could further rattle global energy markets and affect prices for oil, natural gas, and related products. It was not immediately clear how it might be carried out, but Trump told Fox News the goal was to ensure all ships could transit: “It’s going to be all or none, and that’s the way it is.”

Trump said he has “instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.” Other nations would be involved in the blockade, he said, but did not name them.

The government of Bangladesh views the two sides coming to the table as a ‘positive’ development.

Emphasising that the issue can be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue, Dhaka said that if the talks fail, every country will suffer.

Reiterating Bangladesh’s position on the war in the Middle East, she said Dhaka has always maintained that the war must be stopped at any cost and that a diplomatic solution must be found through negotiations and dialogue.

In this war situation, even if two sides are fighting, the greatest loss is borne by people worldwide. The economies of all countries are being affected, and innocent lives are being lost, she said.

“It is understood from this that they also want a ceasefire or an end to the war. We have already made a statement from the Bangladesh government and the Foreign Ministry that we welcome such initiatives.”

She said they want the relevant countries, who are stakeholders, to sit at the negotiating table and reach a solution.

“These discussions are ongoing. It would not be appropriate for us to make any statement or comment at this time.”

Eight Bangladeshis were killed in the Middle East during Iran’s counterattack following the US-Israeli strike on Iran.

“Most recently, one of our female workers was killed in Lebanon. That is very sad. She is the first woman killed in this war. So, we definitely want the war to end immediately,” said the State Minister.

She said the government is working hard to ensure that there is no shortage of fuel in the country and that commodity prices do not rise.

Shama Obaid said that the bodies of five of the eight victims have already been brought home. One was buried abroad because the body was not in a condition to be repatriated. Efforts are underway to bring back another.

Earlier, Bangladesh welcomed the temporary ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East conflict, describing it as an encouraging step toward de-escalation in the region.

“Bangladesh hopes that all parties involved will respect the ceasefire and use this opportunity constructively to work towards a durable and sustainable resolution and restore lasting peace and stability across the region,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bangladesh appreciates all parties involved in the diplomatic efforts that facilitated the ceasefire.

Bangladesh reiterated that all disputes can and should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and diplomacy.