Iran Clears Malaysian Ships Through Strait of Hormuz; No Navy Escort Needed, Says Deputy Defence Minister

MELAKA, April 8 : Malaysia will not deploy naval escorts for its vessels passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz after Iran granted clearance for the ships to exit the area, according to Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

He said the decision was made following full cooperation from the Iranian authorities, which reflects the strong diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Iran.

“The matter falls under the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry, and we appreciate the cooperation shown by the Iranian government. We hope Iran will continue assisting Malaysia in matters related to our energy and economic interests,” Adly told reporters on Wednesday.

He was speaking after launching the Malaysian Armed Forces Autism Initiative (IA-ATM) programme at a community rehabilitation centre in Kem Terendak.

Earlier, the Embassy of Iran in Malaysia announced through its official social media platform that the first Malaysian vessel had successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously revealed that discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian helped Malaysia secure clearance for seven Malaysian vessels that were stranded in the crucial maritime route.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic shipping corridors, handles nearly 20 percent of global crude oil and gas shipments. Traffic in the region has been disrupted following ongoing attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel since late February.

Meanwhile, the IA-ATM programme launched at Kem Terendak aims to support children with autism through structured learning and therapy. The initiative, which began on Aug 4, 2025, will run until June 4, 2026, benefiting 20 children.

The programme features 12 new learning modules developed by the National Autism Society of Malaysia to enhance therapy and educational support for autistic children.

Officials from the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Social Welfare Department, and community organisations were also present at the launch ceremony.