Manila says Iran to allow Philippine oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz

The Philippine government announced on Thursday a significant diplomatic breakthrough with Iran, securing a pledge for the safe and unhindered passage of oil shipments through the volatile Strait of Hormuz. This agreement comes at a critical moment for the nation of 116 million people, which has been grappling with a national energy emergency declared by President Ferdinand Marcos last week. Since the outbreak of hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran on February 28, the effective closure of this vital maritime chokepoint has sent domestic fuel prices to historic highs.

The deal was finalized during a "productive" phone conversation between Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro and her Iranian counterpart. According to a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Tehran has guaranteed that Philippine-flagged vessels, energy resources, and Filipino seafarers will be allowed expeditious transit through the strait. This understanding follows a high-level meeting in Manila where the Philippines sought a formal designation as a "non-hostile country" to protect its energy security and the safety of its maritime workers.

The geopolitical landscape remains incredibly tense, as U.S. President Donald Trump simultaneously claimed the United States is "very close" to its objectives while threatening intensified military action against Iran over the coming weeks. For the Philippines, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern imports for both fuel and fertilizer, the Iranian assurance provides a necessary buffer against the threat of total energy depletion, following the footsteps of neighboring Malaysia, which recently secured similar transit rights.

In a parallel move highlighting the "extreme necessity" of the crisis, the Philippines has also turned to unconventional sources. Petron Corp, the operator of the country’s only oil refinery, reported to the stock exchange that it has begun purchasing Russian crude oil after losing millions of barrels in canceled shipments since the war began. A tanker carrying 2.5 million barrels of Russian crude recently arrived at the refinery’s harbor—a transaction made possible only after the U.S. eased specific sanctions to prevent a global energy collapse.

While the accord with Iran offers a glimmer of stability, the Philippine government continues to navigate a complex balancing act between its treaty alliance with the United States and its urgent domestic need for affordable fuel. By securing this diplomatic "safe passage," Manila hopes to maintain a steady flow of critical supplies while the broader Middle East conflict continues to threaten global trade routes.