Iran Gives Positive Signal, 7 Malaysian Tankers Ready to Exit Hormuz

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan has said that seven tankers owned by Petronas and Sapura Energy are still held in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessels are waiting their turn to exit amid a tense situation.

Citing Bernama, the seven ships are still awaiting a safe opportunity to continue their journey. Mohamad stated that the Iranian government has given a positive signal in response to Malaysia’s request for the tankers to proceed with their voyage.

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and I have contacted our counterparts, and they have confirmed that there is no issue with our ships continuing their journey. However, the tankers must wait their turn,” Mohamad explained, as quoted by Bernama on Saturday (28/3/2026).

Tense Situation in the Strait of Hormuz

“We want to ensure all ships can pass safely, as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is very tense, with heavy ship traffic trying to exit. Poor communication could lead to unwanted incidents,” Hasan added.

According to Hasan, the travel delays are due to a lack of coordination and communication disruptions in a conflict situation that could affect the delivery of instructions.

“Sometimes directives from Tehran may not reach the Strait effectively due to communication limitations during conflict,” he said.

Call to Postpone Travel

Hasan added that communication with Malaysians in Iran is also limited due to network disruptions, though their safety is continuously monitored. He also assured that there are no restrictions on performing umrah as Saudi Arabian airspace remains open.

Finally, Hasan urged Malaysians to postpone non-essential travel amid the uncertain situation.

“If it can be postponed, it’s better to do so in the current situation. However, flights are still operating as usual for those who have made prior arrangements,” he concluded.