Since February 2026, conflict in the Middle East has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries one-fifth of the world’s oil. Several countries have negotiated with Iran to secure passage for their ships. Singapore has not.
On 7 April 2026, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed that Singapore will not negotiate for safe passage. The decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, with claims that Singapore is being arrogant, irresponsible, or unwilling to engage.
This article explains why that reading misses the point.
For a small, trade-dependent nation, freedom of navigation under international law isn’t an abstract principle. It protects the sea lanes our economy depends on, including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, which carry even more global trade than the Strait of Hormuz and are far more vulnerable. Setting a precedent that big countries can charge for passage through international waters puts our own waterways at risk.
What you’ll find in the Nexus/Mindef briefing:
SMF members are encouraged to download and read the engagement package from NEXUS/Mindef. Understanding Singapore’s position helps our business community make sense of the global shifts that affect our supply chains, shipping costs, and long-term planning.Understanding Singapore’s position helps our business community make sense of the global shifts that affect our supply chains, shipping costs, and long-term planning.
SMF is a member of ACCORD. We thank ACCORD for sharing this briefing with our members.
https://tinyurl.com/AccordStraitofHormuz
Note: Since this Member Insight was prepared, the situation in the Middle East has escalated further, with the US implementing a naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz in response. The principles explained here remain central to understanding Singapore’s position and its implications for Singapore business.
