Why Asean neutrality in Iran war is key to unlocking Strait of Hormuz

An oil tanker sits anchored off Muscat, Oman, on March 10.

Photo: Reuters Asean’s neutrality in the Iran conflict is key to granting access to the coveted Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran likely seeking to win global opinion amid its war with the United States and Israel.

Amid boiling tensions in the Gulf, Iran has wielded its control of the strategic channel to choke global oil supplies, especially to the US and its allies.

Many countries – including those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – have turned to diplomatic efforts to secure safe passage for their supply tankers.

This week, two Indonesian vessels – Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro – left the strait after receiving approval from Iranian authorities.

The outcome follows diplomatic efforts by Jakarta to negotiate the smooth sailing of tankers carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia.

Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs spokesman Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela said communication with Iran had been established since the situation first escalated.

The vessels and their cargo were critical in maintaining Indonesia’s national energy security, according to Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry spokeswoman Dwi Anggia.

Tankers and cargo ships dock at the oil depot and container terminal of Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Photo: AFP “The Energy Ministry is coordinating intensively with the Foreign Ministry to ensure that Indonesian vessels can transit the Strait of Hormuz safely and smoothly,” Dwi said in a statement on Sunday.

Thailand was also working closely with Iran to ensure the safe passage of its vessels, a deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.

Panidone Pachimsawat told reporters that the ministry was coordinating with Tehran to ensure that Thai commercial vessels navigate the area safely.

Last week, Malaysian vessels were allowed passage after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken to Iran and other countries as part of efforts to ‌facilitate peace in the Middle East.

Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow at the Rabdan Security and Defence Institute, said this favoured status was because Asean members had largely remained neutral in the war. “This is a positive development, since access to the strait allows Asean economies to sustain vital trade flows, including the import and export of goods and energy resources with Gulf states,” he said.

Last month, while extending Eid greetings to Muslims in Southeast Asia, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed

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