Santo Darmosumarto, the ministry’s director general for Asia Pacific and Africa affairs, said the volatile situation in the region has prompted Indonesia to intensify coordination and communication with the Iranian government.
“Regarding the Pertamina tankers, the matter is being followed up by colleagues at the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran because dialogue must be conducted with the Iranian authorities,” Santo told a media briefing in Jakarta on Friday.
He said diplomatic engagement and coordination are ongoing with relevant stakeholders in Iran to safeguard Indonesia’s interests and the security of the vessels operating in the strategic waterway.
According to Santo, the government is working to ensure that the Pertamina tankers affected by the tensions will ultimately be able to “pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.”
He acknowledged that the evolving conflict in the Middle East could have significant repercussions for Indonesia, noting that several countries in the region are key trading partners for Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
As a result, the foreign ministry is not only strengthening coordination to protect Indonesian citizens in the region but is also intensifying consultations with relevant parties to assess potential economic and geopolitical impacts on Indonesia.
Earlier on Wednesday (March 4), Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the government was pursuing negotiations to secure the release of two tankers belonging to PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) that remain in the Strait of Hormuz.
“There are two cargo vessels stuck in the Strait of Hormuz belonging to Pertamina. The ships are currently anchoring while looking for a safer location as we continue negotiations,” Bahlil said after attending a Ramadan iftar gathering at the energy ministry in Jakarta.
Bahlil added that the situation involving the tankers would not disrupt Indonesia’s energy security, as the government is seeking alternative energy supplies from the United States.
Pertamina has also confirmed that the crew members aboard the vessels remain safe despite the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
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Translator: Nabil Ihsan, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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