Philippine Oil Tankers Receive Iran's Permission to Cross the Strait of Hormuz
The Philippines has obtained Iran’s permission for its oil tankers to cross the Strait of Hormuz amid the raging war. Manila stated that Tehran has pledged to allow safe passage for oil shipments to the country, which heavily relies on such imports.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency last week, stating that “nothing is ruled out” as the nation of 116 million people seeks to address the global fuel crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East.
Fuel prices have reached record highs in the Philippines since the United States (US) and Israel launched large-scale attacks against Iran on 28 February. Tehran has effectively restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz since then.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, as reported by AFP on Thursday (2/4/2026), stated that a “productive telephone conversation” between Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has opened the door for vital oil shipments.
“Iranian Foreign Minister assured our Minister that Iran will allow safe, unimpeded, and expeditious passage through the Strait of Hormuz for Philippine-flagged vessels, energy sources, and all Filipino seafarers,” the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in its statement.
The Philippines imports most of its energy needs from the Middle East. This step, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, ensures “stable supplies of essential oil and fertiliser to the Philippines”.
Foreign Minister Lazaro stated via social media platform X that the telephone conversation with the Iranian Foreign Minister had reached a “positive understanding on the safety of our seafarers and the security of our energy supplies”.
The day before, Foreign Minister Lazaro met with Iran’s Ambassador to Manila to request official designation of the Philippines as a “non-hostile country”.
The permission obtained by the Philippines follows similar approvals granted to two other Southeast Asian countries, namely Malaysia and Thailand. Authorities in Kuala Lumpur even stated that their tankers will be exempt from toll fees that Tehran will impose on vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway route for global oil and gas supplies, has been affected by the ongoing war between the US and Israel against Iran. Passage activities in this vital waterway have been effectively restricted since early March.
This has triggered increased global disruptions, raising shipping costs and pushing global oil prices higher.