“Malaysia remains firmly committed to the principle of freedom of navigation, safety and security of maritime passage, in accordance with international law,” Malaysia’s foreign ministry added in its statement on Tuesday.
“Malaysia also reiterates the importance of continued dialogue and diplomatic engagement in addressing regional challenges and maintaining peace and stability.”
CNA has reached out to the ministry on the status of the other six ships.
Nearly 70 per cent of Malaysia’s crude oil is imported from the Gulf, with 40 per cent of its total oil supply passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian had spoken on the phone on Mar 26. Anwar said on the same day that Tehran was allowing Malaysian vessels to pass through the strait, and thanked Pezeshkian.
Anwar has defended Malaysia’s firm stance on protesting Israeli and US attacks on Iran and expressed hopes his government’s work would be credited.
“Do you think it’s easy to persuade the Iranian president to allow our ships through the Strait of Hormuz? Look at how many countries have made statements as firm as Malaysia’s – we deserve some credit,” he said on Sunday at a Johor convention of his Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Several tankers that have reportedly passed the strait include those from Thailand, France, Oman and Panama.
Iran previously said that ships from China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq and Bangladesh could safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz, while its parliament mulls a US$2 million “transit fee” for vessels passing through.
Malaysia has said that its vessels would not have to pay any fee.