Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has strongly condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, warning that the act could push the Middle East into a period of grave and prolonged instability. In a posting on X, he said the deliberate targeting of a head of state sets a dangerous precedent and weakens the norms and principles that underpin the international order.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister extended his condolences to the Iranian Government and people during this profoundly difficult moment but urged the Iranian authorities to respond with the utmost restraint. He stated that Malaysia aligned itself with the statements issued by concerned countries calling on all parties to step back from further escalation.

'Malaysia calls for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians and a return to serious dialogue. This crisis cannot be resolved by force. It requires diplomacy, restraint and political will,' he emphasized. Anwar also expressed concern for the welfare and safety of Malaysians in Iran, the Gulf States, and the wider Middle East, assuring that the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure their protection.

He highlighted that the government would urgently evaluate the economic repercussions of the conflict, including risks to regional airspace and to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. "Malaysia's trade and energy security are directly implicated, and we will act as necessary to safeguard our national interests," he stated.

The news of Khamenei's death was confirmed when the state-owned broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), announced that 'Iran's Supreme Leader has been martyred'. Earlier, US President Donald Trump and Israel claimed that Khamenei was killed in a joint attack on Iran.