Iran to Allow PH’s Smooth Passage in Strait of Hormuz

Iran has vowed “safe, unhindered, and expeditious” travel for Philippine-commissioned voyages in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a press release on 02 April 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro spoke with her Iranian counterpart, foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, through phone call on the same day, where she secured the Iranian government’s assurance in favor of Philippine-flagged vessels, Filipino sailors, and energy sources traversing the strait.

The DFA noted that this will abet in the present challenges the Philippines is facing as regards fuel supply throughout the country as majority of the Philippines’s oil inventory emanates from the Middle East.

On 01 April 2026, Lazaro and Department of Energy secretary Sharon P. Garin met with Iranian ambassador to the Philippines Yousef Esmaeilzadeh, asking the Arab country to classify the Philippines as a “nonhostile” nation on passing the Strait of Hormuz.