State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Wednesday expressed Bangladesh’s firm optimism for an early end to tensions in Middle East, stressing the need for lasting peace and stability for the wellbeing of people within and beyond the region.

He made the remarks when Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi paid a courtesy call on him, according to a foreign ministry press release.

During the meeting, the state minister and the Iranian envoy discussed issues of mutual interest.

Kobir underscored Bangladesh’s high expectation to see tensions in the Middle East subsided at the earliest possible time.

He expressed hope that lasting peace and stability would prevail in the interest of the people of the region as well as the wider international community.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on matters of shared interest, the release said.