President Says Maldives Won’t Be Used in Iran–Israel War, Backs Targeting Military Sites

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said the Maldives will not be used in any capacity in the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict, while stating that any attacks by Iran should target Israel and US military facilities without harming civilians.

Responding to a question about a planned meeting with a senior United States official, whom he was scheduled to meet later in the day, President Muizzu said the Maldives maintains a Maldives-first approach to foreign relations, except for Israel, where the Maldives maintains no relations. He said it would not be appropriate to decline a request to meet a US official, adding that he intended to understand the purpose of the meeting.

He reiterated, however, that the Maldives would not be opened for use in the conflict in any form, including its airspace or territorial waters.

“If Iran is to attack, it must be directly against Israel. That is what we believe. They (Iran) can attack Israel day and night. That is what we want,” he said.

The President added that attacks affecting Muslim countries would result in harm to Muslim populations and their property and said Iran’s actions should instead be directed at those engaged in the conflict with it.

“If Muslim Arab countries are attacked, it is Muslims who will die. It is the places of Muslims that will be destroyed. Instead, Iran’s attacks should be directed at Israel and the two parties fighting this war and attacking Iran—the facilities of the United States and Israel—in a way that does not harm Muslims in the region; that is perhaps how this should happen,” he said.

President Muizzu also stressed that the Maldives would not be used in any way in relation to the ongoing war, stating that the country’s territory, airspace and facilities would not be made available for military or related purposes. He added that the Maldives would not permit overflight or landing for military operations, nor allow any involvement, whether military, diplomatic or otherwise.

He further stated that the Maldives would not support any war against an Islamic country and called for the conflict to end immediately.