Singapore Rejects Negotiations For Safe Passage Through Strait Of Hormuz

Singapore has stated it will not negotiate for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that such an action would undermine international law and create a dangerous precedent for maritime security.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim described the prospect of negotiating safe passage as a “slippery slope” during a May 14, 2026, appearance on CNA’s Deep Dive podcast. He argued that assigning a price or trading away rights to safe passage would signal that fundamental principles are negotiable.

The slippery slope that we are on is that the moment you negotiate, the moment you trade away, the moment you put a price tag on it, it means that your principles can be bought, can be traded, can be paid off

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

Mr. Zhulkarnain, who previously served as a lawyer handling maritime issues, stated that entering into such negotiations would leave the country without a “position of strength to start from.” He further noted that no party can realistically guarantee such passage regardless of any agreement.

International Law and Maritime Principles

This position aligns with a statement made in April 2026 by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Minister Balakrishnan stated at that time that Singapore would not negotiate for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz because doing so would undermine the fundamental principles of international law.

The refusal to negotiate safe passage is framed as a matter of principle rather than a lack of diplomatic engagement. While Singapore maintains a strict stance on the legal right of passage, it continues to pursue diplomatic channels to address the broader instability in the region.

Diplomatic Engagement with Iran

Despite the firm stance on maritime passage, Minister Balakrishnan has engaged in direct communication with Iranian officials to encourage a peaceful resolution to the conflict in West Asia. In a recent call with Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi, Minister Balakrishnan expressed Singapore’s hopes for diplomacy and dialogue to end the war in the Middle East.

During the conversation, Minister Balakrishnan invited Foreign Minister Araghchi to visit Southeast Asia. Singapore has continued to call for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as part of its broader appeal for diplomacy to resolve the West Asia conflict.

Strategic Maritime Context

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global trade, particularly for oil. However, Singapore officials have noted the comparative scale of other shipping lanes to highlight the importance of maintaining open, principle-based access to international waters.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore carry almost triple the vessel traffic of the Strait of Hormuz, making it the busiest shipping lane in the world. Unlike the Hormuz Strait’s heavy association with oil, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore facilitate the movement of all kinds of goods.

By refusing to treat safe passage as a tradable commodity, Singapore seeks to protect the legal frameworks that allow the high volume of global trade passing through its own waters to continue without the need for individual negotiations or payments for access.