EFFORTS by Pertamina to buy cheap oil from Iran could lead to international sanctions. The management of the company must be very cautious in taking decisions because if they get it wrong, the impact could be widespread.

The problem began with the detention of the supertanker MT Arman 114 by the Maritime and Security Agency (Bakamla) in the waters off Natuna, Riau Islands, on Friday, July 7. The Iranian-flagged tanker was detained because it was