JAKARTA - The Indonesian government through the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran is making diplomatic and coordination efforts with the Iranian government, regarding the security of two Pertamina-owned tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the escalation in the Middle East.
The United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday last week, causing the region's situation to be turbulent, with the Strait of Hormuz, which is in Iranian territory and has a vital role, being affected.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Arabian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman for ships that want to travel to the Arabian Sea or the Indian Ocean. This strait is part of the world's oil and gas supply traffic.
"This (Pertamina tanker) is being followed up by our friends at the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran. Because indeed the discussion must be carried out with the Iranian government. Currently, diplomatic efforts, coordination efforts with related parties in Iran, are being carried out to ensure that Indonesia's interests related to Pertamina can continue to be protected from the side of being able to pass the Strait of Hormuz safely," explained the Director General of Asia, Pasik, Africa of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Santo Darmosumarto in a press statement in Jakarta, Friday (7/3).
"The general condition is still not conducive, but we continue to try to coordinate and communicate with the Iranian government," he said.
The Ambassador of Santo added that the situation in the Middle East would have an impact on Indonesia, related to oil supplies and the Middle East region is a large trading partner for Indonesia.
Previously, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said there were two tankers owned by PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) that were trapped in the Strait of Hormuz and were anchored to find a safe place, as reported by Antara.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called on ships to stop all transit in the region until conditions improve, following threats of attacks on ships crossing the strait.
The situation in the Middle East has left around 200 tankers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. IMO estimates that 20,000 sailors are affected. In normal circumstances, the strait is traversed by about a fifth of the world's oil traffic.
The Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohamad Boroujerdi in a statement to reporters on Thursday confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz was not closed and could be passed by complying with the special traffic protocols imposed during the war implemented by Iran.
"The Strait of Hormuz remains open. This strait only imposes special protocols during war. Those who comply can easily pass through the Strait of Hormuz," said Ambassador Boroujerdi.
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