Indonesia says Iranian tankers may pass through its waters

Jakarta says Iranian oil tankers are allowed to pass through Indonesian waters, stating the vessels are exercising their right of passage under international maritime law, as tensions over global shipping routes escalate following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

The Indonesian government’s position comes after tracking data indicated that Iranian-linked supertankers had recently entered key sea lanes in the region, including the Lombok Strait and waters near the Riau archipelago, Caliber.Az reports per Indonesian media.

Tracker Tankertankers.com reported over the weekend that an Iranian supertanker carrying crude, valued at almost $220 million, had entered the Lombok Strait. The vessel is said to belong to the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC).

Another Iranian tanker named DERYA was later observed transiting the same route on May 4, reportedly en route to a rendezvous point in Indonesia’s Riau Islands after failing to deliver 1.88 million barrels of crude to India in mid-April.

Responding to the reports, Indonesia’s foreign ministry said it was monitoring the situation and stressed that maritime movement in its waters is governed by international law.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Yvonne Mewengkang said that Jakarta had received the reports, while adding that the UNCLOS -- the decades-old international maritime law -- allows foreign ships to pass through the strait.

“Navigation rules in all waters, including Indonesia’s, are subject to the 1982 UNCLOS, which respects all forms of passage in each maritime zone,” Yvonne said.

Officials said the government was conducting verification and coordinating internally to assess the situation.

“We believe that these vessels are exercising their right of passage in accordance with international law,” Yvonne stated.

She added that Indonesia would continue to monitor developments and engage diplomatically where necessary.

The movements come amid heightened maritime tensions following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. Earlier this year, Tehran imposed a blockade on the strait in response to US-Israeli air strikes, prompting further escalation in the region.

The United States has also increased its naval presence in surrounding waters, with reports indicating a blockade and ship redirections affecting regional tanker traffic.

Oil markets remain sensitive to developments in the area, with Brent crude trading at around $114 per barrel on May 5. The Strait of Hormuz accounts for roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil flows, making it one of the world’s most strategically significant energy corridors.

By Aghakazim Guliyev