MoFA clarifies Bangladesh's stance on Iran after Shafiqur's query

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a clarification following remarks by opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman in parliament questioning Bangladesh's position on Iran.

Speaking in the House yesterday, Shafiqur Rahman asked, "Why does our friendly country say that Bangladesh was not by its side during a time of great distress?"

In response, the foreign ministry, in a statement today (1 May), said Bangladesh's policy regarding the ongoing Gulf tensions has, in fact, been "appreciated" by countries in the region.

As an example, the ministry cited a recent statement by the Embassy of Iran in Bangladesh, which praised Bangladesh's "balanced and constructive" approach. The ministry also expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as selective or distorted presentation of remarks in sections of the media.

The ministry further noted that on 23 April, during a handover ceremony of emergency medical assistance from Bangladesh to Iran at the Iranian embassy in Dhaka, Ambassador Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi highlighted the "deep and friendly relations" between the two countries.

He also thanked Bangladesh for its solidarity and sincere support for the Iranian people during the ongoing crisis, according to the ministry.

The clarification comes amid political debate over Bangladesh's foreign policy positioning in the context of the regional conflict.