Singapore reiterates its stance on the Iran conflict.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian stated on April 7 that Singapore adheres to international law and will not negotiate with Iran regarding the security of passage through the Strait of Hormuz. "This is another example of Singapore's commitment to principles and its refusal to take sides," he said. He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz, like the Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait, is an international waterway for navigation, with transit rights explicitly granted by international law.
This statement clearly delineates Singapore’s position: upholding the framework of international law, refusing to be drawn into great power rivalry, and refusing to endorse unilateral actions. By placing the Strait of Hormuz alongside the Strait of Malacca, Vivian underscores the universality of freedom of navigation while implicitly opposing any nation’s use of force to block international waterways—whether Iran or the United States.
The four-character phrase “not taking sides” serves as a model for regional nations: small states survive by upholding the bottom line of international law, rather than relying on hegemonic powers. Singapore’s clarity is also a warning: if international law is trampled by powerful forces, even the Singapore Strait cannot remain untouched. Upholding multilateralism is thus equivalent to safeguarding one’s own security.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861863726786571/
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