Philippines Reaches ‘Positive Understanding’ with Iran on Seafarers’ Safety and Energy Security
April 2, 2026 — The Philippines has secured a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran aimed at protecting Filipino seafarers and ensuring the security of the country’s energy supplies amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro announced that she held a “productive call” with her Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (also referred to as Seyed Abbas Araghchi). The two sides reached a “positive understanding” on the safety of Filipino seafarers and the security of Philippine energy supplies.
“Building on recent talks, we reached a positive understanding on the safety of our seafarers and the security of our energy supply,” Lazaro stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The development follows direct instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the Department of Foreign Affairs to engage Tehran. Earlier this week, Secretary Lazaro and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin met with Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines Yousef Esmaeilzadeh to request that Iran designate the Philippines as a “non-hostile” country. This status is intended to facilitate the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels and oil shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Concerns Over Filipino Seafarers
Last month, the Philippine government reported that approximately 7,300 Filipino seafarers were operating in high-risk areas in the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. The ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran has led to disruptions in the waterway, which handles a significant portion of global oil trade, raising fears for the safety of merchant vessels and their crews.
Filipino seafarers form one of the largest contingents of the global maritime workforce, and any prolonged disruption in the region poses serious risks to their lives as well as to the Philippines’ energy imports. The country has already declared a national energy emergency due to concerns over oil supply stability.
Diplomatic Efforts
The latest high-level call between the two foreign ministers builds on preparatory discussions in Manila. Philippine officials have emphasized that securing safe passage is critical not only for protecting overseas workers but also for maintaining stable energy supplies for the domestic economy.
Iran’s willingness to engage constructively on this issue signals a potential channel for de-risking commercial shipping even as broader military operations continue in the region. Details of the exact commitments—such as specific assurances for Philippine vessels or formal “non-hostile” designation—are expected to be finalized in the coming days.
This agreement comes at a time when the Philippines, a long-standing treaty ally of the United States, is carefully balancing its alliances while prioritizing the protection of its citizens and economic interests in the Gulf.
Further updates are anticipated as both governments work to implement the understanding and monitor the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers continue to closely track the welfare of all Filipino seafarers in the affected areas.