Iran Allows Ships from Malaysia, Thailand, and Five Other Countries to Pass Through the Strait of Hormuz

A Malaysian oil tanker has been granted permission by the Iranian government to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, as stated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“We are now in the process of releasing the Malaysian oil tanker and its crew so they can continue their journey home,” Anwar said in a special speech broadcast live on the national television station on Thursday (26/03), as reported by the Bernama news agency.

In the speech, Anwar expressed thanks to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian for granting permission to the Malaysian oil tanker to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

Anwar added that the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and disruptions to global oil and gas supplies could potentially affect Malaysia.

However, he stated that Malaysia is in a relatively better position thanks to the capabilities of the national energy company Petronas in managing supplies and ensuring energy stability.

In addition to the Malaysian oil tanker, a Thai oil tanker successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely.

This was achieved after diplomatic coordination between the Thai government and Iran, according to Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Sihasak said the tanker owned by Bangchak Corporation crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (23/03) following discussions between him and Iran’s Ambassador to Thailand, Nasereddin Heydari.

“I asked if Thai ships needing to pass through the strait could be assisted to ensure safe navigation,” Sihasak said.

“They replied that they would handle it and asked us to provide a list of ships that will cross,” he added, as quoted by the Bangkok Post.

The safe passage of the Thai oil tanker occurred two weeks after a Thai-flagged carrier, Mayuree Naree, was hit by a projectile in the strait.

Which countries’ ships are allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz?

Speaking to the Iranian state television station, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasised that the Strait of Hormuz is not completely closed.

“Many ship owners, or the countries owning those ships, have contacted us and requested that we ensure the safety of their navigation through the strait,” Araghchi said, as quoted by the Reuters news agency.

“For a number of countries that we consider friendly, or in certain cases that we deem necessary, our armed forces have provided safe escort,” he added.

“As you can see in the reports: China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and India. Two Indian ships crossed a few nights ago, as well as from other countries, even Bangladesh, I think. These countries have talked and coordinated with us, and this will continue in the future, even after the war ends,” he continued.

Data from shipping tracker Kpler shows only 99 ships have passed through the narrow strait this month, or an average of five to six ships per day.

However, before the war, around 138 ships crossed the strait every day, based on data from the Joint Maritime Information Centre. Those ships are relied upon to carry one-fifth of global oil supplies.

BBC analysis shows that about one-third of recent passages in the Strait of Hormuz were made by ships with links to Iran. Among them are 14 ships sailing under the Iranian flag and several other ships sanctioned for allegedly being connected to Tehran’s oil trade.

Nine other ships are owned by companies based in China. Meanwhile, six ships are recorded as heading to India as their final destination.

Several ships that have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz appear to have chosen longer routes than usual.

Tracking data for a Pakistani-flagged oil tanker shows the ship sailed closer to the Iranian coast on 15 March instead of taking the usual route in the middle of the strait.

‘No access for enemies’

Araghchi also stated that ships related to countries considered enemies or parties involved in the current conflict will not be allowed to pass.

He said that ships from the United States, Israel, and several Gulf countries playing a role in the ongoing crisis will not be given transit permission.

“We are in a state of war. This region is a war zone, and there is no reason to allow enemy ships and their allies to pass. However, the strait remains open to other parties,” he said on Wednesday (25/03).

Araghchi’s remarks align with a statement posted by Iran’s representative to the UN.

In a post on X, Tehran stated that “non-hostile ships” will be allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz, provided they coordinate with “Iranian authorities.”

Ships that have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of this month include those from China, India, and Pakistan.

Instead of using the two narrow transit corridors closer to Oman, ships are now diverting further north, passing through Iran’s territorial waters north of Larak Island, allowing Iranian forces to monitor and control maritime traffic.

What about Indonesian ships?

As of 26 March 2026, two Pertamina tankers owned by Indonesia are still detained in the Arabian Gulf and have not been able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The two are PIS VLCC Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro.

As listed on the MarineTraffic website, the Pertamina Pride ship was detected north of Dammam City, Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the Gamsunoro ship is near the coast of Kuwait and Iraq.

Based on a statement from Pertamina International Shipping,