Strait of Hormuz remains open, safe for regional trade, says Iranian envoy

New Straits Times

6 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Iran has given the assurance that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and safe for trade and energy shipments, including those to Southeast Asian nations.
Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi said while the Iranian Parliament had suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it had not taken any definitive steps to close the strait.
"The Strait of Hormuz has always been open. There are no obstacles to the movement of ships through the strait.
"Our decision was to stop working with the IAEA, not from any action related to the Strait of Hormuz," he told a press conference at the Embassy of The Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuala Lumpur.
He said this in response to concerns that the waterway, one of the world's most critical energy supply routes, may be affected by the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
He said the decision was made due to IAEA's failure to condemn the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, particularly after Israel struck several sites.
Despite IAEA observers being stationed in Iran and monitoring activities at nuclear facilities, Valiollah said the agency did not stand up for Iran during a time of need.
"Their observers are in Teheran and back to headquarters but when Iran was attacked, they didn't condemn it. So what is the benefit for us?"
Valiollah said Iran remains committed to ensuring security and stability in the region.
"We always try to keep the Persian Gulf and this region quiet, under control, and with the best security because it is a place for energy," he said.
The ambassador maintained that Iran's goal is to facilitate commerce when asked if this commitment meant Iran would provide safe passage for shipments from the Middle East to Malaysia and those the country see as "allies".
"Iran always wants this area to be open for trade and, of course, economic cooperation between our neighbouring countries and Iran with overseas or other countries in the world.
"This (closing the strait) is not on our agenda now. But if the situation becomes unbearable in the future, we may reconsider."
He assured Malaysians that the conflict would not spill over into Southeast Asia, noting the close coordination between the two nations.
"We, of course, coordinate with the Malaysian government on this situation.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim spoke with our president recently about how we can work together for peace and security in the region, especially in the Middle East and Persian Gulf region," he said.