Philippines Seeks Safe Passage for Oil Shipments in Talks with Iran

01/04/2026

Philippines Seeks Safe Passage for Oil Shipments in Talks with Iran

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Thereza Lazaro with Iranian envoy Yousef Esmaeilzadeh

MANILA, Apr 1: The Philippines has requested safe passage for essential oil shipments during talks with Iran, as the import-dependent nation faces rising fuel costs and supply pressures, a presidential spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro discussed “key avenues for cooperation” with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh in a meeting that also included the Philippines’ Energy Secretary, according to a statement.

Presidential spokesperson Claire Castro said Lazaro specifically sought assurances for the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, requesting that Iran formally designate the Philippines as a “non-hostile country.”

“This is vital for the protection of our seafarers and our energy supply,” Castro said, adding that the Iranian ambassador had expressed willingness to assist and was awaiting further formal coordination.

Lazaro is expected to hold further talks with Iran’s foreign minister to finalise the request, including guarantees for uninterrupted oil shipments.

The diplomatic engagement comes as the Philippines grapples with elevated fuel prices following global supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, prompting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of national energy emergency. Officials have warned that “nothing is off the table” as the government seeks to secure fuel supplies for its 116 million population.

The Philippines has also faced supply constraints after cancelled crude shipments, with its sole refinery operator Petron Corp recently turning to alternative sources, including Russian crude, due to shortages.

The Iranian embassy in Manila has not commented on the meeting.