Philippines says Iran assures safe Hormuz passage of its vessels

[MANILA] Iran assured the “safe, unhindered and expeditious” passage of Philippine vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the South-east Asian nation said.

The assurance was given by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi during a Thursday (Apr 2) phone call with Philippine counterpart Ma Theresa Lazaro, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“Given that the Philippines imports the majority of its energy requirements from the Middle East, these assurances from Iran will greatly facilitate the steady delivery of critical oil and fertiliser supplies to the Philippines,” the agency’s statement said.

The guarantee ensures the safety of Filipino seafarers operating in the area and the nation’s “energy sources”, it said.

The South-east Asian nation has been scrambling for oil supplies after Iran tightened its grip over traffic through the vital strait amid conflict in the Middle East. BLOOMBERG