Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed the Middle East conflict and the safety of Bangladeshi workers, while seeking Iran’s cooperation in facilitating the movement of Bangladeshi vessels and containers through the Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin briefed journalists on the meeting at a press briefing later in the day at the Hyatt Grand Central New York hotel.
Kobir said the Prime Minister called for an early resolution of the conflict through diplomacy, stressing its potential impact on Bangladesh, particularly on Bangladeshi expatriate workers and the country’s energy security.
Bangladesh has a significant number of workers and professionals in the Middle East, and any prolonged conflict in the region could have an impact on the country, he said.
The state minister also said Bangladesh raised the issue of containers and vessels being held up amid the tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and sought Iran’s cooperation in facilitating their safe movement once the situation improves.
“We called for a quick resolution through diplomacy,” he said, adding that the Iranian President listened to Bangladesh’s concerns and took note of them.
Kobir said Bangladesh maintains a neutral position and is prepared to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability if there is an opportunity.
“Bangladesh can become a soft-medium influence for good, for peace and stability in the world,” he said.
The state minister said Bangladesh has important partners across the Middle East, and some of them have encouraged Bangladesh to use its neutral position to communicate with parties involved in the conflict.
He said Bangladesh does not necessarily need to take a visible mediation role, but can engage as a friend of the region and contribute to peace and stability through diplomatic channels.
“The UN is a neutral venue,” Kobir said, referring to the meeting with the Iranian President at the UN Headquarters.
He said the Prime Minister used the opportunity to discuss both the conflict and Bangladesh’s national interests, including the possible impact of the situation around the Strait of Hormuz on the country’s energy supply and trade.
The state minister said Bangladesh wants an early and peaceful resolution to the conflict through diplomacy, as a prolonged crisis could have wider regional and international consequences.
Mahdi said the meeting also focused on regional stability, the safety of Bangladeshi workers in the broader Middle East and issues related to regional and international peace.
He said the prime minister emphasised Bangladesh’s national interests, particularly the safety and well-being of its expatriate population.
The meeting took place as part of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s engagements on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.
