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PH officials seek energy talk with Iranian envoy amid blocking of Hormuz Strait

Philippines | National

PH officials seek energy talk with Iranian envoy amid blocking of Hormuz Strait

By Joseph Pedrajas

DFA photo

Philippine officials on Wednesday, April 1, sat down with Iran's top diplomat in Manila as the government sought unrestricted passage of tankers carrying oil for the country through the Strait of Hormuz.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin met with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh, a move Lazaro said was aimed "to further our bilateral agenda."

The Filipino officials' dialogue came as the Philippines is racing against time to secure more oil supply before it runs out by the end of June.

President Marcos ordered Lazaro to seek talks with Esmaeilzadeh for unrestricted passage of oil tankers in the Hormuz Strait as Iran's conflict with the US and Israel drags on.

The Philippines is among the countries hardly hit by the global impact of Middle East hostilities, with Marcos declaring a national energy emergency.

"Joined by Energy Secretary Sharon Gari, we discussed key avenues for cooperation," Lazaro said.

"Building on the momentum of our Political Consultations last November 2025, we are committed to deepening our cooperation across all fronts, particularly energy cooperation," Lazaro added.

Related Tags

PH-Iran DFA Strait of Hormuz Oil crisis

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