Bahlil Seeks Best Alternative for Oil Imports If Strait of Hormuz Closes
Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia is preparing contingency plans should oil imports from the Middle East passing through the Strait of Hormuz be closed by Iran.
The alternative options include importing oil from several other countries including the United States, Brazil, Australia, and Nigeria.
This diversification step of oil imports serves as an option to maintain national energy resilience amidst conflict turmoil in the Arabian Gulf.
Although US President Donald Trump previously stated he would soon end military operations in Iran, oil prices remain volatile. Tensions there cannot be fully predicted as to when they will end.
For this reason, Bahlil is seeking the best alternative should the Strait of Hormuz become unsafe for tanker ships to pass through.
On another occasion, Trump has begun implementing temporary lifting of sanctions for 30 days to allow countries worldwide to purchase oil from Russia.
The lifting of sanctions represents US policy to keep oil prices stable.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that if rising oil prices represent a short-term problem that will yield great benefits for his country in the future.
“Temporary increases in oil prices are short-term and temporary disruptions that will yield great benefits for our country and economy in the long term,” Bessent said as reported by Reuters on Friday (13 March 2026).
This temporary relief is being exploited to the fullest by Russia. It is known that within 30 days, Moscow can sell 100 million barrels of oil from its production and generate profits many times over.
Although the US is aware of the risks from lifting these sanctions because it allows Russia to gain capital to continue its military campaign in Ukraine, which causes the European Union concern.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following a telephone audience with G7 leaders discussing the impact of attacks on Iran, explained that now is not the right time to relax sanctions against Russia.
The decision to ease sanctions implemented by the US represents a sudden consensus between Washington and Moscow.
Meanwhile, Thailand stated its readiness to purchase oil from Russia after restrictions are temporarily lifted. India likewise expressed interest in quickly securing oil supplies for its domestic energy security.