Kuala Lumpur: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced plans to contact his Iranian counterpart, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, to ensure that the critical oil and liquefied natural gas export route through the Strait of Hormuz remains open. This move comes amidst concerns that any closure of the strait could disrupt oil trade routes from the Middle East, leading to a global oil shortage and increasing prices on the international market.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Strait of Hormuz, situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is a vital maritime passage, with approximately one-third of the global oil trade, or 17 to 20 million barrels of crude oil and condensate, traversing it daily. A significant portion of this oil is destined for Asia, reaching countries like China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Pakistan, and the Philippines, as noted by the International Energy Agency.
Mohamad expressed understanding of Iran's current challenges and tense situation but emphasized Iran's responsibility to the international community to ensure the uninterrupted flow of global trade. The global market is closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising concerns about potential disruptions due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
Additionally, Mohamad mentioned that the Foreign Ministry has advised Malaysians in Iran, Iraq, and Jordan to maintain contact with their respective Malaysian embassies. All registered Malaysians have been successfully contacted and provided with necessary instructions for any possible evacuation needs. Mohamad highlighted the difficulty in assisting Malaysians abroad who do not register their whereabouts.
In related news, Mohamad commented on the postponement of a United Nations conference in New York regarding the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, which he was scheduled to attend. The conference, sponsored by Saudi Arabia and France, was delayed due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, as many leaders from the Middle East are reluctant to leave their countries during this critical time. Despite previous warnings from the US administration under President Donald Trump against attending, Malaysia had planned to send representatives to the conference.