KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has urged the United States to reconsider its move to block the Strait of Hormuz, warning of major disruptions to global energy supplies and economic stability, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Tuesday.
Warning that a blockade would hinder the movement of merchant vessels and cargo in and out of the strategic waterway, he also questioned the rationale behind the move, noting that the United States had previously called for international cooperation to keep the vital route open.
"The strait should not be blockaded. Previously, Iran had agreed to keep the strait open on the condition that the 10 points proposed during negotiations in Islamabad were accepted by the U.S. (Blocking the route) will worsen the global energy supply situation, as well as affect other essential goods. The world's economy ... will be further strained," he told a press briefing.
He also called on all parties, including Iran, to ensure that trade routes through the strait were not held hostage to geopolitical conflicts. "The U.S. must not take such action as it would create serious global repercussions," he said. ■