CYBERJAYA, April 17 (Bernama) -- One of the seven Malaysia-flagged vessels carrying fuel has suffered damage and is unable to depart from a port in the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said one of two vessels that had passed through the strait has arrived in Malaysia, while another is nearing the country’s waters.
Anwar said the government is closely monitoring the remaining vessels that have yet to pass through the strait.
“In terms of clearance, Iran has approved all seven (vessels), but one has encountered technical problems and is unable to leave the port.
“With this latest development, we are facing some minor difficulties,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at the Cyberjaya Fire and Rescue Station surau here today.
In a separate development, Anwar said Malaysia will take part in a special international meeting on the situation in West Asia, including the Strait of Hormuz, organised by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The meeting will discuss efforts to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway, he said.
“I will delegate this to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Our position is that there must be freedom of passage.
“However, we cannot deny Iran’s rights and our concerns over past actions by Israel and the United States against Iran. Therefore, we take a more balanced and independent stance,” he said.
Anwar said the government is closely monitoring the remaining vessels that have yet to pass through the strait.
“In terms of clearance, Iran has approved all seven (vessels), but one has encountered technical problems and is unable to leave the port.
“With this latest development, we are facing some minor difficulties,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at the Cyberjaya Fire and Rescue Station surau here today.
In a separate development, Anwar said Malaysia will take part in a special international meeting on the situation in West Asia, including the Strait of Hormuz, organised by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The meeting will discuss efforts to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway, he said.
“I will delegate this to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Our position is that there must be freedom of passage.
“However, we cannot deny Iran’s rights and our concerns over past actions by Israel and the United States against Iran. Therefore, we take a more balanced and independent stance,” he said.