TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR Ministry) is confident that national fuel oil (BBM) reserves in Indonesia will not be affected by the recent escalation of conflict between Iran and Israel.

The Director General of Oil and Gas at the EMR Ministry, Tutuka Ariadji, stated that fuel reserves are currently in the range of 30 days. PT Pertamina also has contracts with foreign fuel suppliers who are committed to continuing to supply fuel according to their contracts.

"So, barring anything too extreme [about the conflict], our national crude reserves plus those on ships in transit are 30 days, including ten days at the refinery and the additional 15 days, for a total of 30 days. If God is willing, we will be safe," said Tutuka on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, quoted from a press release from the EMR Ministry.

Nevertheless, Tutuka said the government needs to be aware of the impact of the Middle East conflict on world oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane for oil tankers which transport around 30 percent of the world's crude oil or around 21 million barrels of crude oil per day.

“The Strait of Hormuz can be seized and managed by Iran. So, how Pertamina responds to this situation is critical, including about fulfilling the supplies," said Tutuka.

Last Wednesday, Iran stated that its military was ready to face any Israeli attack. Air force commanders said they were ready to take action, and navy commanders said they were escorting Iranian commercial ships into the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the army commander said his troops were ready for defense.

Iran carried out its first direct attack on Israel late last week, with more than 300 missiles and drones hitting targets, according to an Israeli military tally.

The attack was retaliation for the Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, Syria which killed seven Iranian military officers including two senior commanders. Meanwhile, Israel did not confirm or deny responsibility for the attack.

RIRI RAHAYU | NABIILA AZZAHRA

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