Challenges in Securing Iran's Approval to Free Indonesian Ships in the Strait of Hormuz
The Indonesian government is still making strenuous efforts to free two tankers owned by PT Pertamina that are being held in the Strait of Hormuz, amid Iran starting to grant permission to several countries to pass through.
The Strait of Hormuz, the world’s main oil trade route, has been closed by Iran in response to military attacks by the United States and Israel. As a result, tankers from various countries cannot exit, including Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that the government is still conducting intensive negotiations with Iran so that the two ships can leave.
“Yes, we are still communicating continuously. It is indeed not easy for us to figure out how to get our ships out of the Strait of Hormuz,” Bahlil said at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy office in Jakarta on Friday (27/3/2026).
He acknowledged that the negotiation process is progressing slowly and requires time due to a long queue.
“We are still negotiating now. There is a long queue, after all. We are in negotiations, yes. Give us time. Still negotiating, still negotiating,” Bahlil said when met at the ESDM Ministry office in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/3/2025).
Amid these efforts, Iran has begun opening communications with several countries regarding shipping access in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Alhamdulillah, even though we are in a geopolitical situation where there are still no signs that the conflict in the Middle East is over, we are getting a bit of fresh wind with the Strait of Hormuz starting to have a policy of open-close,” Bahlil said.
Countries Permitted to Pass
Iran is known to have started granting permission to countries considered friendly to cross the Strait of Hormuz. This policy allows tankers from certain countries to resume sailing.
The statement was conveyed through the X social media account of the Iranian Consulate General in Mumbai, quoting Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. At least five countries fall into this category, namely China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan.
“Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: We allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for friendly countries including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan,” the post read, quoted from The Economic Times on Thursday (26/3/2026).
Additionally, Malaysia has also obtained similar permission. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that his country’s tanker has been allowed to pass after communicating with several regional leaders.
In a speech broadcast on television, Anwar expressed appreciation to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the policy.
“We are now in the process of freeing Malaysia’s oil tanker and the workers involved so they can continue their journey home,” Anwar said, quoted from Reuters on Thursday (26/3/2026).