Seven Malaysian vessels reported stranded in the Strait of Hormuz are not being detained, but are instead awaiting clearance to safely pass through the tense waterway, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said.
He stressed that Iranian authorities have given assurances there is no issue allowing Malaysian ships to transit the strait, though movement, particularly for oil tankers, remains subject to current security conditions.
“Cargo vessels have begun to move, but tankers must wait until the situation is deemed fully safe,” he said, adding that Putrajaya has engaged Tehran at multiple levels, including a direct call from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Iran’s President.
The vessels comprise three owned by Petronas, two by MISC and one each by Sapura Energy Bhd and Syahpadu Corporation Sdn Bhd.
Mohamad explained that disruptions in communication between command centres in Tehran and field operators, amid ongoing conflict, have contributed to delays.
“The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is extremely tense. Poor coordination could lead to unwanted incidents,” he said, while emphasising that those ships are not being held, they are simply waiting for the green light.”
All seven vessels are expected to resume their journey once conditions stabilise, he added.
