"Oil Dependency in Wartime: Malaysia and the Iran War"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Geopolitical Monitor
9 April 2026
Published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/oil-dependency-in-wartime-malaysia-and-the-iran-war/
The war in Iran appears to be paused, for now, as the United States and the Islamic Republic have announced a two-week ceasefire. It is unclear whether this ceasefire will hold or if hostilities will resume. In the meantime, countries that rely on energy and other resources from the Middle East will be quick to send their tankers and cargo ships across the Strait of Hormuz to replenish their much-needed energy reserves at home.
Curiously, just prior to the announcement of the ceasefire (and US President Trump’s threat of annihilating Iran as a country), when the Strait was still closed, the government of Malaysia announced an agreement with Tehran to allow the safe passage of Malaysia-bound ships through the contested Strait. This development warrants discussion to understand how governments have navigated this tense situation and the importance of energy diversification.
