Iran Has Not Yet Permitted Indonesia to Enter the Strait of Hormuz, Bahlil: We Are Continuing Communications

Iran has not opened the Strait of Hormuz to Indonesia. This situation has left two Pertamina tanker ships still detained in the Arabian Gulf. On the other hand, Malaysian ships have already received Iran’s approval to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, commented on the matter. Bahlil said the government remains committed to efforts to release the two Pertamina ships. Intensive communications are continuing with relevant parties.

“Yes, we are still communicating continuously. Indeed, it is not easy for us to figure out how to get our ships out of the Strait of Hormuz,” Bahlil said at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs in Jakarta on Friday (27/3/2026).

Previously, Bahlil stated that this negotiation process would take considerable time.

“We are still negotiating now. This is a long queue, after all. It’s in negotiation, yes. Give us time. Still negotiating, still negotiating,” he explained when met at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Tuesday (17/3/2025).

The negotiation process is taking place amid Iran beginning to open communications with several countries whose ships are detained.

“Alhamdulillah, even though we are in a geopolitical situation where there are still no signs of the Middle East conflict ending, we are getting a bit of fresh wind with the Strait of Hormuz starting to have a policy of opening and closing,” Bahlil said.