Iran allows passage for Philippines-bound ships through Hormuz

MANILA, Philippines — Iran has assured the Philippines that its vessels and seafarers will be allowed safe and unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz — a breakthrough that Manila hopes will ease its deepening energy crisis triggered by the month-long blockade of the waterway.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro secured the commitment in a phone call Thursday, April 2, with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. 

Tehran pledged to allow Philippine-flagged vessels, energy shipments, and all Filipino seafarers to transit the strait without obstruction.

"During the call, the Iranian Foreign Minister assured the Secretary that Iran will allow the safe, unhindered, and expeditious passage through the Strait of Hormuz of Philippine-flagged vessels, energy sources, and all Filipino seafarers," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

This commitment from Tehran is "vital for the Philippines," Lazaro said, as it will "not only ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers operating in the area but will also help ensure energy security for the country."

The Philippines imports 98% of its crude oil from the Middle East, and the strait's effective closure since early March has hammered supply lines and sent oil prices soaring.

"These assurances from Iran will greatly facilitate the steady delivery of critical oil and fertilizer supplies to the Philippines," the DFA said.

The deal echoes arrangements Iran has extended to other nations it considers non-belligerent. On March 26, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi announced that ships from China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan would be allowed through the strait. 

The US — the Philippines' only treaty ally, and the nation it most heavily depends on for protection in the South China Sea — has itself been unable to reopen the strait it helped shut down. Washington launched the strikes on Iran that triggered the blockade on February 28, and a month-long US military campaign to force the passage open has yet to restore normal shipping.

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