Philippines Negotiates Safe Passage with Iran for Vital Oil Shipments Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure

Manila requests "non-hostile" status from Iran to secure oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid a national energy emergency and rising fuel prices.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Korea Times

Diplomatic Maneuvers in a Global Energy Crisis

The Philippines is engaging in high-stakes diplomacy with Tehran to ensure the survival of its energy sector following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, accompanied by the country's energy secretary, met with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh on Wednesday to request formal "safe passage" for Filipino tankers. The move comes as the import-dependent nation struggles with historic fuel price hikes triggered by the February 28 military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel. Secretary Lazaro is scheduled for a follow-up call with Iran’s foreign minister on Thursday to solidify these commitments.

National Energy Emergency and "Non-Hostile" Status

The diplomatic outreach follows President Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of a state of national energy emergency last week. Manila is specifically requesting that Iran designate the Philippines as a "non-hostile country." This designation is viewed as vital for the safety of Filipino seafarers and the consistency of the national fuel supply. Presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro emphasized that securing this status would allow PH-flagged vessels to navigate the volatile waters of the Persian Gulf without interference from Iranian maritime forces, who have restricted traffic since the conflict began.

The Pivot to Russian Crude

The desperation of the Philippine energy situation was further highlighted in a Monday stock exchange filing by Petron Corp, the operator of the country’s sole oil refinery. The company revealed it had secured nearly 2.5 million barrels of Russian crude oil—a transaction described as an act of "extreme necessity." This purchase occurred after at least four million barrels of previously contracted Middle Eastern shipments were canceled due to the war. The arrival of Russian oil at Philippine ports marks a significant shift in trade policy, made possible only by the recent easing of U.S. sanctions on Moscow.