Malaysia urges US to reconsider move to block Strait of Hormuz

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Malaysia urges US to reconsider move to block Strait of Hormuz

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan questions the rationale behind US president Donald Trump’s move

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would have far-reaching consequences for global energy supplies and key commodities such as fertiliser. (EPA Images pic)

REMBAU: Malaysia has urged the US to reconsider its move to block the Strait of Hormuz, warning that it could disrupt global energy supplies and undermine economic stability.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said a blockade would hinder the movement of merchant vessels and cargo in and out of the strategic waterway, with far-reaching consequences for global energy supplies and key commodities such as fertiliser.

He questioned the rationale behind the move, noting that the US had previously called for international cooperation to keep the vital route open.


“The strait should not be blockaded. Previously, Iran had agreed to keep the strait open on the condition that the 10 points proposed during negotiations in Islamabad were accepted by the US.

“(Blocking the route) will worsen the global energy supply situation, as well as affect other essential goods. The world’s economy … will be further strained.

“I urge the US to reconsider this action and for all parties to return to negotiations. Any form of blockade must be lifted to ensure trade routes remain open,” he said.

Mohamad, who is also the Rembau MP, was speaking to reporters after a Bumiputera entrepreneurship convention at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Rembau campus.

He also called on all parties, including Iran, to ensure that trade routes through the strait were not held hostage to geopolitical conflicts.

“A war between the US and Iran, or between Iran and Israel, is their conflict. The rest of the world must not be held to ransom for any reason.


“The US must not take such action as it would create serious global repercussions,” he said.

On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy would immediately begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, including intercepting ships in international waters that had paid tolls to Iran.

He made the statement hours after the US-Iran peace talks ended without an agreement.