The Philippines aims to deepen energy cooperation with Iran as it scrambles to secure fuel supplies after regional conflict disrupted global oil flows.
MANILA: The Philippines has committed to deepening cooperation with Iran, particularly on energy, as the import-dependent nation competes for vital oil supplies.
Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro stated the commitment after exploring key avenues of operation in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh and Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
Lazaro said the talks built on the momentum of political consultations held last November 2025.
The meeting follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s declaration of a national energy emergency last week, with the leader stating “nothing was off the table” for the 116 million-strong nation.
Fuel prices have hit historic highs in the Philippines since treaty ally the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.
That conflict forced the partial closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
The foreign affairs department offered no further details of the meeting between Philippine and Iranian officials.
It comes just days after Malaysia announced its tankers would be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without paying any toll to Iran.
The Iranian embassy in Manila declined to comment on the discussions.
A separate stock exchange filing on Monday revealed the Philippines’ sole oil refinery had secured nearly 2.5 million barrels of Russian crude out of “extreme necessity”.
A tanker filled with Russian crude oil had previously arrived at the harbour servicing refinery operator Petron Corp.
Such a purchase was unthinkable before the United States eased sanctions tied to Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
