Saying that Bangladesh does not want war in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud urged the international community to help de-escalate tensions between Iran and Israel.

“We are for peace, not war. We want to see countries play an active role in de-escalating tensions [between Iran and Israel]. We also call for an end to the killings in Gaza,” he said.

Hasan Mahmud made the comments when journalists, after an event at the state guest house Padma, asked him about Iran’s drone and missile attacks on Israel.

Iran said the attacks were in retaliation for Israel’s attacks on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria early April.

Hasan Mahmud said Iran might not have launched the attacks if it was not attacked first.

“We would hope that the states that can play roles would play their roles to de-escalate Iran-Israel tension,” Hasan Mahmud said.

Furthermore, when asked about the release of 23 Bangladeshi sailors and the Bangladeshi-flagged ship MV Abdullah from the captivity of pirates, the foreign minister credited the government and others for their efforts.