Malaysian Tankers Can Pass Through Hormuz, PM Anwar Thanks Iranian President

Iranian authorities have allowed Malaysian tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thanked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the decision.

Anwar stated that this was achieved following discussions with Iranian, Turkish, and other regional leaders.

Speaking on Malaysian national television, Anwar said he had spoken with Pezeshkian, as well as leaders from Egypt and Turkey and other figures in the Gulf region.

“We are now in the process of releasing Malaysian oil tankers and the workers involved so they can continue their journey home,” Anwar said, as reported by AFP news agency on Friday (27/3/2026). He also expressed thanks to Pezeshkian.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the President of Iran for granting early passage,” Anwar stated.

Anwar added that, thanks to production by Malaysia’s oil giant Petronas, “We are in a far better position.”

Petronas produced around two million barrels of oil per day last year, according to the company’s latest figures.

However, Anwar warned that food supplies would be disrupted and that “prices will certainly rise.”

“The same applies to fertiliser, and of course oil and gas,” Anwar said.

The leader of the neighbouring country also announced a series of measures, including reducing quotas for subsidised fuel for Malaysian citizens and restricting new diesel purchases in the states of Sabah and Sarawak, as part of tighter controls to prevent hoarding and smuggling of subsidised fuel.

Malaysia is a significant producer of oil and gas but also imports crude oil from the Middle East and is highly dependent on the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz has been almost entirely closed by Iran since the US and Israeli attacks on the country on 28 February, disrupting the global energy market and stranding hundreds of tankers and other vessels, including Indonesian ships, in those strategic waters.