MELAKA: There is no need for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to escort Malaysian vessels after Iran cleared them to exit the Strait of Hormuz.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said this was due to Iran’s full cooperation, reflecting the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
"The matter falls under the Foreign Ministry, and we are grateful for the cooperation shown by the Iranian government. We hope Iran will continue to assist on issues related to our energy and economic needs,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after launching the Malaysian Armed Forces Autism Initiative (IA-ATM) at the community rehabilitation centre in Umi Kem Terendak, Sungai Udang, on Wednesday (April 8).
On Monday, the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia announced via its official X account that the first Malaysian vessel had passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported on Sunday as saying that discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had enabled Malaysia to secure clearance for seven vessels stranded in the strait.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that carries about 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil and gas supply, has been disrupted following ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran since Feb 28.
Meanwhile, the IA-ATM programme at Umi Kem Terendak, which started on Aug 4, 2025, will run until June 4, 2026, benefiting 20 children with autism through structured learning and therapy sessions.
The programme includes 12 new modules developed by the National Autism Society of Malaysia (Nasom).
Also present were Malaysian Armed Forces assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel Services Maj Gen Datuk Indera Zahari Mohd Ariffin, Tabung Haji Southern Region director Rozimin Ahmed Kamil, Nasom chairman Julian Wong Ming Vui, and Melaka Social Welfare Department director Halyjah Muhammad. - Bernama
