Iran has assured the Philippines it will allow safe passage for its oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, securing a critical energy supply route.
MANILA: The Philippines announced that Iran has pledged to allow safe passage for its oil shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This assurance followed a “productive phone conversation” between Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro and her Iranian counterpart.
The Iranian Foreign Minister guaranteed the “safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage” of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy cargoes, and Filipino seafarers. This move aims to ensure the steady delivery of critical oil and fertilizer supplies to the import-dependent archipelago.
The agreement comes after President Ferdinand Marcos declared a state of national energy emergency last week. Fuel prices have hit historic highs since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, leading Tehran to effectively close the strait.
Lazaro stated the call reached a “positive understanding on the safety of our seafarers and the security of our energy supply”. She had previously met Iran’s ambassador to seek formal designation as a “non-hostile country”.
The Philippines imports most of its energy from the Middle East. Separately, Petron Corp, operator of the country’s sole refinery, reported purchasing 2.5 million barrels of Russian crude out of “extreme necessity” after other shipments were cancelled.
This development follows Malaysia’s recent announcement that its tankers would also be permitted to pass through the strait without paying tolls to Tehran. The US-Iran conflict continues to disrupt global energy markets and shipping lanes.