Muizzu excludes Iran from condolence list amid Middle East conflict and refuses to say if he’ll reach out
President Dr. Muizzu notably excluded Iran from the list of Arab and Islamic leaders he contacted to offer condolences regarding the ongoing Middle East conflict. During a press conference, the President avoided providing direct answers to inquiries about the attacks on Iran, focusing instead on the regional damages attributed to Iranian actions. It was only after persistent questioning and expressions of concern from journalists that he finally condemned the military actions taken by the United States and Israel against Iran.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu | President's Office | Presidents office
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has excluded Iran from a list of Arab and Islamic nations to which he extended condolences on behalf of the Maldives and its people regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
During a press conference held on Monday, President Muizzu stated that he is currently reaching out to the leaders of Arab and Islamic nations via telephone to express solidarity and reaffirm the Maldives' support amidst the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The President stated that he contacted the UAE on Sunday night to inquire about the situation and expressed that the Maldivian people stand in solidarity with them. He further condemned the ongoing attacks being carried out by Iran against the country.
I have spoken with the President of the UAE via telephone to convey the Maldives' steadfast support for their nation. In light of the ongoing attacks from Iran, which have resulted in loss of life and significant damage to infrastructure, I expressed the solidarity of the Maldivian government and its people. Following this press conference, I have further scheduled calls with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the Emir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain, and the leadership of Oman. I intend to convey the same message: that the people of the Maldives stand firmly with them during this ongoing conflict.President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
While the President excluded Iran from his list, he only condemned the preemptive strikes by the United States and Israel after journalists questioned him and expressed concern regarding the matter. Prior to this, President Muizzu had focused his remarks entirely on Iran’s attacks against other nations, stating that these actions had resulted in numerous fatalities and were impacting several countries.
Journalists subsequently expressed repeated concerns regarding the President’s remarks, which implied that Iran had initiated the attacks in the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, a reporter questioned whether the President intended to contact Iran to offer condolences, as he had done with other Arab and Islamic nations. However, the President declined to answer the question.
Even when the question was repeated following the press conference, the President did not disclose whether he would contact Iran. He further declined to comment on the matter.
The administration of President Mohamed Muizzu is facing widespread public criticism for failing to take any formal measures of mourning following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The leader was killed in what have been described as dangerous and illegal attacks launched by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel.
Social media critics have pointed out that even non-Islamic nations have condemned the incident leading to the Iranian leader's death and expressed their condolences to the people of Iran.
Furthermore, during President Maumoon's administration, the Maldivian flag was flown at half-mast following the deaths of Iran's then-president and prime minister on August 31, 1981.
Numerous nations have voiced their opposition to the escalating threats facing the world, particularly in the Middle East, as the United States and Israel push the region toward a state of uncontrollable conflict.
