Iran Responds Positively, Two Pertamina Tankers to Exit Hormuz Strait Soon

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has assured that the Iranian government has responded positively to the Indonesian government’s request for two Pertamina tankers still held in the Strait of Hormuz to pass safely.

According to RI Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, his side, together with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, has been conducting intensive coordination with all relevant parties in Iran since the beginning for the safety of the tankers.

“In its development, there has been a positive response from the Iranian side,” Nabyl said in response to ANTARA’s questions regarding the progress of negotiations on the Pertamina tankers in Jakarta on Friday.

Following the positive response conveyed by Tehran, follow-up steps have been carried out by the relevant parties on technical and operational aspects, Nabyl said, although he did not provide a definite time when the tankers could exit the Strait of Hormuz.

Previously, on 4 March, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government was conducting a negotiation approach to free two tankers owned by PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) that were still in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Bahlil assured that the two tankers trapped in the Strait of Hormuz do not disrupt Indonesia’s energy security, as Indonesia quickly seeks alternative energy procurement from other countries.

Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa at RI’s Kemlu, Santo Darmosumarto, on 6 March said that the RI government continues to enhance coordination and communication efforts with the Iranian government to ensure the safety of the two Pertamina tankers.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently stated that his country allows ships from “friendly countries” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, ships from the United States, Israel, and “aggressor countries” remain prohibited from passing.

The “friendly” countries given the green light to pass by Tehran include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, and Malaysia.

Based on real-time ship tracker data from MarineTraffic for the period of 20 to 22 March, around 1,900 ships were unable to move around the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Anadolu report.