Camille Naredo

This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC shows damage at the military harbor in Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, 2026. 2026 Planet Labs PBC via AFP

This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC shows damage at the military harbour in Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with the killing of Iran's supreme leader and the Islamic republic retaliated with barrages of missiles at Gulf states and Israel. (Photo by 2026 Planet Labs PBC / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / (C) 2026 PLANET LABS PBC " - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Article (news)

Strait of Hormuz

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775044613272AFP__20260304__99Y642D__v3__MidRes__TopshotIranUsIsraelWar.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC shows damage at the military harbor in Iran&#x27;s southern port of Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, 2026. 2026 Planet Labs PBC via AFP" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC shows damage at the military harbor in Iran&#x27;s southern port of Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, 2026. <em>2026 Planet Labs PBC via AFP</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has asked Iran to mark Philippines-bound ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz as “non-hostile,” Malacañang said on Wednesday as the government continues to grapple with fast-rising pump prices brought by disruption of global oil supply from the Middle East.</p><p>Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin met with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeilzadeh to address how Iran’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz — the traditional route for 20 percent of the world’s oil supply — has been affecting ordinary Filipinos, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said.</p><p>Iran has restricted passage through the strait in response to US and Israeli attacks on the country, allegedly to keep it from developing nuclear weapons and for regime change.</p><p>Tehran has also targeted several oil establishments in neighboring Gulf countries that host US military bases, affecting productivity in one of the world’s most oil-rich regions.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PH A &#x27;NON-HOSTILE COUNTRY&#x27;</strong></div><p>Castro said in a statement that the DFA secretary “requested that Iran formally designate [the Philippines] as a ‘non-hostile country’ and ensure safe passage for [Philippine]-flagged vessels and oil shipments.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/1/ph-officials-iran-ambassador-meet-on-energy-issues-cooperation-1555"><strong>PH officials, Iran ambassador meet on energy issues, cooperation</strong></a></div><p>“This is vital for the protection of our seafarers and our energy supply. DOE is finalizing the necessary details for immediate transmission,” she said.</p><p>The Philippines has a defense treaty with the US and regularly trains with its military through the Visiting Forces Agreement. US troops also have access to select Armed Forces of the Philippines facilities.</p><p>Lazaro is expected to meet with her Iranian counterpart on April 2 “to personally secure these commitments at the highest level,” the Palace official said.</p><p>Castro added that Ambassador Esmaeilzadeh had said that Iran had been waiting for the Philippine side to reach out “reaffirmed their strong willingness to assist the Philippines with our specific requests.” </p><p>The Palace said it is &quot;highly optimistic&quot; about the talks, which it said were “exceptionally warm and open.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/4/1/how-middle-east-war-is-driving-up-shipping-costs-0959"><strong>How Middle East war is driving up shipping costs</strong></a></div><p>Developments in the Middle East, which is also called West Asia, have prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a state of energy emergency last week to ease restrictions on the procurement of petroleum products from other markets.</p><p>While the government maintains that the Philippines has about two months worth of oil stockpile, ordinary Filipinos have been forced to tighten budgets as the price of diesel, gasoline and kerosene hover around $100 per barrel.</p>

<p>The Department of Foreign Affairs has asked Iran to mark Philippines-bound ships in the Strait of Hormuz as “non-hostile,” Malacañang said on Wednesday as the government continues to grapple with fast-rising pump prices brought by global oil supply chokepoints in the Middle East.</p>

The Department of Foreign Affairs has asked Iran to mark Philippines-bound ships in the Strait of Hormuz as “non-hostile,” Malacañang said on Wednesday as the government continues to grapple with fast-rising pump prices brought by global oil supply chokepoints in the Middle East.

DFA asks Iran: Mark PH-bound ships in Strait of Hormuz as 'non-hostile'

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DFA asks Iran: Mark PH-bound ships in Strait of Hormuz as 'non-hostile'

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 01, 2026 07:24 PM PHT

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Updated April 01, 2026 09:44 PM PHT

Read More:

Iran

Department of Foreign Affairs

DFA

Strait of Hormuz

oil crisis

oil price hike

diplomacy

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