TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran has agreed to allow safe passage for Philippine-flagged vessels and Filipino crew members through the Strait of Hormuz following high-level talks ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said she had a “very productive” phone conversation on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss stronger bilateral cooperation across various fields.
“During the call, the Iranian Foreign Minister assured the secretary that Iran will allow the safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage through the Strait of Hormuz of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy sources, and all Filipino seafarers,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement, as quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Lazaro said the “positive” development is crucial for the Philippines, as it will help ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers operating in the Middle East and secure the country’s energy supply.
In a post on her verified X account, Lazaro wrote: “Building on recent talks, we reached a positive understanding on the safety of our seafarers and the security of our energy supply. Grateful for the warm spirit of cooperation.”
Manila and Tehran also reaffirmed their commitment to “maintaining excellent relations and achieving lasting peace through continued dialogue and diplomacy,” the DFA said.
Lazaro’s phone call with Araghchi came a day after she and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin met with Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Yousef Esmaeilzadeh.
Following Marcos’ directive, Manila requested that Tehran officially designate the Philippines as a “non-hostile” country to ensure the safe passage of Philippine-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the Department of Energy (DOE) is finalizing details for the “iimmediate transmission” of information regarding the vessels after the meeting with the Iranian ambassador.
Castro also said Esmaeilzadeh noted that Tehran “has been awaiting our outreach and reaffirmed their strong willingness to assist the Philippines with our specific requestss.”
Manila has agreed to channel all detailed requests through official diplomatic channels to speed up the process.
Earlier, Marcos said the country has enough fuel reserves to last until the end of June. However, he instructed the DOE to secure additional fuel supplies to expand national reserves, citing uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The Philippines imports 98 percent of its crude oil from Western Asia, or the Middle East, which has been engulfed in one of the world’s most serious conflicts following last month’s US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
The war has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Iran has used its control of the narrow waterway as leverage, demanding international recognition of its authority over the strait as one of five conditions for ending the war.
Although the Philippines is a close defense ally of the United States, it is not involved in the conflict with Iran. Manila is now moving to secure an agreement with Tehran, following similar arrangements already reached by several Asian countries.
On March 26, Araghchi announced that vessels from China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan would be allowed to cross the strait.
Malaysia and Thailand later reached similar agreements, joining Bangladesh on Tehran’s list of “friendly” countries.
Iran has also said it considers Japan and South Korea—both close US allies in Asia—as “xnon-hostile” countries and would facilitate safe passage for their vessels through the strait after proper coordination.
Iran has repeatedly said the Strait of Hormuz remains open, but under certain conditions.
Officials said vessels from non-enemy countries may transit the strait as long as they coordinate with Iranian authorities. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has conveyed this position in letters to the UN Security Council and the International Maritime Organization.
Read: Iran: Opportunity Remains for Indonesian Ships to Cross Strait of Hormuz
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