MANILA, Philippines — Iran has given the Philippine government assurances that Filipino seafarers and Philippine-flagged vessels will be permitted safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed.
The assurance, which covers the protection of Filipino crew members aboard vessels transiting the strategic waterway, came following a direct phone call between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi.
Under the agreement, Tehran has committed to allowing the safe and expedient passage of Philippine-flagged ships, extending protection to Filipino seafarers onboard those vessels, and ensuring the continued movement of energy supplies through the strait.
The development follows a formal request by Manila to be recognized as a “non-hostile country” — a designation the Philippine government sought in order to shield its nationals and vessels from any restrictions or hostilities that may arise from the ongoing regional conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways, through which a substantial portion of global oil and gas supplies pass daily. Any disruption to navigation in the area carries significant implications for global energy markets and maritime trade.
The Philippines has one of the largest populations of overseas seafarers in the world, with tens of thousands of Filipino crew members serving aboard vessels that regularly transit the region.
The DFA did not immediately provide further details on the scope or duration of the assurances extended by Iran.
