Stop the war in the Middle East, peace is the only way: Mahathir Mohamad

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has issued a stern condemnation of the escalating bloody conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Urging all warring factions to lay down their arms and return to the negotiating table, he emphasized that war is never a viable solution to any crisis.

In a statement posted on Friday (April 3) via the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the veteran statesman—renowned for his lifelong anti-war stance—wrote:

"Peaceful dialogue must be the primary method for resolving disputes. Stop the war. I have always been against war; I do not believe that killing people can ever resolve a problem."

The Human Cost and Modern Alternatives

Dr. Mahathir highlighted the sheer brutality of armed conflict, describing war as nothing short of mass murder. He noted that in a modern, civilized world, it is both "unbelievable and inhumane" for nations to choose warfare as a means of settling differences. He asserted that constructive alternatives are always available, which are far less destructive and more cost-effective than armed struggle.

"Human beings possess the faculty of reason," the former Prime Minister added. "Through negotiation, arbitration, or judicial intervention, any crisis can be resolved. This intellectual capacity allows us to weigh the pros and cons of any solution without resorting to violence."

Context of the Current Escalation

The latest wave of tension in the Middle East surged following extensive airstrikes launched by the U.S. and Israel across Iran on February 28. Tehran maintains that these strikes targeted civilian infrastructure and strategic installations. The ongoing volatility now poses a severe threat to global energy security and international maritime trade routes.