Jakarta, June 11 -- Indonesia is maintaining communication with Iran to secure the release of two state-owned Pertamina oil tankers currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno stated on Thursday.

The two vessels-the Pertamina Pride and the Gamsunoro , both operated by PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS)-have been trapped in the Arabian Gulf following Iran's abrupt closure of the strategic chokepoint amid escalating military hostilities with the US and Israel.

"We are in contact with government authorities, and discussions with the Iranian government are continuing," Havas told reporters at the Parliament Complex.

According to him, the progress of the evacuation and shipping efforts is ...