Business, markets and economy news from Malaysia.
Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has dismissed US claims that unfrozen Iranian assets will be spent on American agricultural goods, highlighting deepening disagreements over fund deployment as nuclear negotiations continue.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has clarified that Malaysia's delegation visit to Myanmar in May does not constitute recognition of the junta, emphasising it was part of ASEAN's strategy to maintain dialogue channels while upholding the Five-Point Consensus.
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Iran claims significant progress following high-level talks in Switzerland, with both sides agreeing on key mechanisms for maritime security, oil sales licensing, and asset unfreezing as part of broader final agreement negotiations.
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Diplomatic mediators Qatar and Pakistan have announced significant progress in ongoing US-Iran talks held at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland, with new committees and communication channels established to facilitate negotiations.
Iran and the United States have formed specialised technical groups to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement, with discussions beginning in Switzerland under the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sunday that his country's military will maintain an open-ended presence in southern Lebanon, while simultaneously pledging to block Iran's nuclear development.
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Foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have jointly endorsed a US-Iran memorandum, describing it as a crucial step toward regional de-escalation and stability in West Asia.
Senior US officials including Vice President JD Vance have begun talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Switzerland, as broader negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme accelerate.
A major survey by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that strategic elites in Japan and South Korea overwhelmingly oppose nuclear weapons, but this restraint could collapse if either neighbour acquires them first, threatening regional stability.
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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has commended efforts to reduce US-Iran tensions, while emphasizing that geopolitical instability carries severe consequences for the economically vulnerable and developing countries.
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Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has advocated for Russia to remain actively involved in ASEAN-led regional mechanisms, signalling diplomatic overtures as Singapore prepares to take the ASEAN chair in 2027.
An interim ceasefire between the United States and Iran has taken effect, allowing oil shipments to resume through the Strait of Hormuz. However, negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme and ongoing Israeli operations in Lebanon cast doubt on the agreement's durability.
Malaysia's air force is installing cutting-edge radar systems at four strategic locations to enhance early warning capabilities and close surveillance gaps across the nation's airspace.