KUALA LUMPUR, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Seven Malaysian-owned vessels previously stranded in the Strait of Hormuz are making the journey away from the waterway in stages, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday.

One is on its way to its destination, and six others have been granted approval while waiting for their turn to set sail, Anwar told a press briefing following a meeting with the country's state-owned oil and gas firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).

Anwar's announcement followed recent assurances from Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi that the vessels would be permitted to transit the strait in phases.

The flow of oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted following attacks launched against Iran by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28. ■