Malaysian tankers allowed to sail through the Strait of Hormuz won鈥檛 be subject to a toll imposed by Iran, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
鈥淭he Iranian ambassador has mentioned that no toll is being imposed on Malaysian vessels,鈥 Loke said at an event on Tuesday. 鈥淲e are a friendly party, we have good diplomatic relationship with the Iranian government.鈥
On Saturday, Malaysia鈥檚 foreign affairs minister said Iran has cleared seven Malaysian tankers to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, which has become a flashpoint of the war in the Middle East. The vessels, which are currently stranded in the vital waterway, include those owned by Malaysian energy giant Petroliam Nasional Bhd., shipping firm MISC Bhd. and Sapura Energy Bhd.
Iran has now passed a law introducing a toll and banning US and Israeli vessels from transiting the strait. The bill formalizes a system which multiple shipowners have already been reporting, as tankers are asked 鈥 through intermediaries 鈥 for detailed cargo and crew lists, and, in some cases, for payment.
Malaysia has long had a pragmatic policy toward Iran. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has recognized Tehran鈥檚 right to protect its sovereignty while also urging a rapid resolution to the conflict. Anwar, in a televised address on Thursday, thanked Iran鈥檚 president for facilitating early passage for the vessels. 鈥 Bloomberg
