Published : 24 Sep 2026, 10:24 AM
Updated : 24 Sep 2026, 10:24 AM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has held talks with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
The meeting took place at the Hyatt Grand Central Hotel on Wednesday, with the two sides discussing the impact of the regional conflict on Bangladesh, including its expatriate workers, remittances, shipping and energy security, Foreign Affairs State Minister Humaiun Kobir said.
Briefing reporters afterwards, he said Dhaka considers the United Nations a neutral platform and had raised concerns about around 8 million expatriate workers in West Asia.
"If the conflict does not move towards a peaceful resolution, there will be an impact on our expatriate workers and remittances," he said, describing the issue as a matter of "deep concern".
A number of Bangladeshi container ships remain stranded because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict, the state minister said.
"We've called on the Iranian president that we want this resolved quickly, and that this war be resolved through diplomacy."
"Once that resolution comes through, we've asked them to take steps on that front so that our ships stuck in the war can return home safely. This is the cooperation we've sought," he added.
Kobir said the delegation also conveyed its concern about being pushed into an energy crisis.
Pezeshkian listened closely, while his officials took note of the points raised, he added.
He said other West Asian partners had also urged Bangladesh to speak up because of its neutral position.
Kobir said Tarique had taken on that responsibility, with Bangladesh seeking to become a “soft medium influence” for peace and stability in the world.
The meeting with the Iranian leader was held as part of that initiative, while keeping national interests in focus, he added.
State Minister Kobir, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the UN Irene Khan and Prime Minister's Advisor Mahdi Amin were present at the meeting.
