Malaysia To Contact Iran For Route Through Strait Of Hormuz Remain Open - Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will contact his Iranian counterpart, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, to request that the crucial oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export route through the Strait of Hormuz remain open.

He said that if the strait were to be closed, it could disrupt oil trade routes from the Middle East, leading to a global oil shortage and pushing up prices in the international market.

 “There are rumours that Iran may close the supply route in the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as the gateway to the Iran-Oman border, a move that could potentially affect the global oil supply chain.

“This will cause serious complications for the world because a lot of oil supplies come from that area, especially from Iran and Qatar, so we hope that this will not be done and I will try to contact my Iranian counterpart, Araghchi, tonight or tomorrow, to think about it,” he told reporters after opening the Cheras UMNO Delegates’ Meeting here today.

He said that while Malaysia understands Iran’s current position and the tense situation it faces, the country also bears a responsibility to the international community and the smooth flow of global trade.

The global market, he added, is closely watching developments in the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing concerns that the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could disrupt shipping traffic through the narrow and strategic passage.

According to a report by Anadolu Agency,  the Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a vital sea route, with about a third of global oil trade, or 17 to 20 million barrels of crude oil and condensate, passing through it every day.

About 70 per cent of that amount was sent to Asia, including China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Pakistan and the Philippines, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Meanwhile, Mohamad said the Foreign Ministry had issued a statement asking Malaysians in Iran, Iraq and Jordan to contact the Malaysian embassy in the respective country.

According to him, all Malaysians registered with the embassy have been successfully contacted and given appropriate instructions, including in the event of any situation that requires them to be evacuated.

“One of the challenges we face is that many Malaysians abroad refuse to register their whereabouts, which makes it difficult for us to contact and provide assistance in the event of an emergency,” he said.

On a related matter, Mohamad commented on the United Nations (UN) conference in New York on the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, which he was scheduled to attend next week.

Mohamad said he was informed yesterday that the conference had been postponed due to the current Iran-Israel conflict.

“The two-state solution conference sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France has been postponed temporarily because many country leaders, especially in the Middle East region, do not want to leave and they want to manage their respective countries,” he said.

Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would send representatives to the conference even though the US administration under President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to governments around the world not to attend the conference.

France and Saudi Arabia are reportedly the main organisers of the conference, with Paris said to be considering unilaterally recognising Palestine

-- BERNAMA