SHAH ALAM, April 7 — One of the seven Malaysian commercial vessels that have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the West Asia conflict has been granted safe passage and is en route to its destination.
The Foreign Ministry said this is following high-level diplomatic engagements between Malaysian and Iranian leaders, including phone calls between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on March 26, as well as earlier talks between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on March 24.
“Malaysia remains firmly committed to the principle of freedom of navigation and safety and security of maritime passage, in accordance with international law.
“Malaysia also reiterates the importance of continued dialogue and diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges and maintaining peace and stability,” Wisma Putra said in a statement today.
Heightened tensions in West Asia have disrupted maritime traffic after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes that handles about a fifth of global oil shipments.
Thousands of vessels are stranded in surrounding waters while awaiting clearance to pass through the strait.
Yesterday, the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia said one Malaysian ship has passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
On March 31, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said no tolls would be imposed on Malaysian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran assured Putrajaya the ships would be granted safe passage amid tensions in the region.
“As far as we are concerned, (we) have gotten clearance and support from the Iranian government to ensure the safe passage of our ships,” Loke added.
