Philippine initiates talks with Iran to secure oil tanker passages via Hormuz

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs to initiate talks with Iran to ensure the safe transit of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, The Manila Times reports.

Presidential spokesperson Clare Castro said in a briefing that Foreign Affairs Secretary Teresa Lazaro will meet with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmailzadeh in the coming days. Castro noted that the Philippines maintains “good relations with Iran.”

The decision follows a meeting of the interagency UPLIFT committee, established to mitigate the impact of the Middle East conflict and support the country’s economy, industry, and citizens. The Philippines imports nearly 98% of its oil from the region, most of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

On March 24, Marcos Jr. declared a state of emergency in the energy sector and launched the UPLIFT initiative to ensure energy security and provide support to industry, food, and transport sectors. The committee includes heads of key ministries tasked with coordinating the implementation of these measures.

By Khagan Isayev