Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan Rejects Negotiations for Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz Citing International Law

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan asserts that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is a right under UNCLOS, refusing any negotiations for safe passage.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 8:55 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Channel News Asia

A Categorical Rejection of Transit Negotiations

Singapore has officially declined to enter into negotiations with Iran regarding the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining that such transit is an inherent right rather than a granted privilege. Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan clarified in Parliament on Tuesday that the city-state would not seek licenses or pay tolls to bordering nations for the movement of its ships. He emphasized that treating international waterways as subject to the discretion of neighboring states would fundamentally undermine the legal framework that governs global maritime commerce.

The Constitutional Significance of UNCLOS

The minister’s position is anchored in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which Singapore regards as the "constitution of the oceans." Dr. Balakrishnan noted that the right of transit passage is codified in international law and applies even to states that have not formally ratified the convention. By refusing to negotiate, Singapore aims to uphold the principle that freedom of navigation remains a non-negotiable right for both ships and aircraft. He stated that any attempt to "supplicate" for passage would implicitly erode the legal protections that ensure global trade remains fluid and predictable.

Defending Local Chokepoints Through Global Principles

Dr. Balakrishnan framed Singapore’s strict legal stance as a matter of long-term survival rather than mere diplomatic obsession. He pointed out that the Straits of Malacca and Singapore are even more critical maritime chokepoints than the Strait of Hormuz, carrying higher volumes of oil and container trade. With the Strait of Singapore narrowing to less than two nautical miles at its tightest point, the minister argued that allowing any state to charge tolls or restrict passage in the Middle East could eventually jeopardize the free flow of traffic in Singapore’s own backyard.