Expert: Indonesia Needs Tailored Diplomacy with Iran Over Tankers in the Strait of Hormuz

Jakarta (ANTARA) - International relations expert Teuku Rezasyah of Padjadjaran University highlighted the need for Indonesia to strengthen diplomatic steps with Iran to ensure the safety of two Pertamina International Shipping tankers held in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘A special approach to Iran is needed so that those allowed through are not only Russia, China, and Pakistan,’ Rezasyah told ANTARA on Friday.

Indonesian diplomats in Iran, he said, must work harder so that Iran opens a passage and guarantees the safety of the two Pertamina tankers stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Make a request of the Iranian government to open the Hormuz route for Indonesian ships,’ he said.

In addition to diplomatic steps, Indonesia, according to Reza, needs to show stronger solidarity with Iran amid US and Israel attacks on Tehran that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

‘Now is the time for the Indonesian government to send its senior officials to the Iranian Ambassador’s Residence in Jakarta. If possible, Indonesian officials from various ministries,’ he said.

‘We must show that we are in solidarity with the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. By showing seriousness to come, to meet, it can show Iran that Indonesia is a friendly country,’ Reza added.

Earlier on Wednesday night (4/3), Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said there are two Pertamina-owned tankers trapped in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘There are two cargoes trapped in the Strait of Hormuz belonging to Pertamina. They are now docking to find a safer place, while we negotiate,’ Bahlil said at the Ministry of ESDM, Jakarta.

Meanwhile, regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s mission to the UN rejected claims that Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, calling them baseless and accusing the United States of endangering shipping safety in the region.

‘Claims that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded and illogical,’ the mission wrote on the US X platform, as cited by Anadolu Agency on Friday.

In the statement, the mission reaffirmed that Iran ‘remains committed to international law and freedom of navigation.’