With the Ramadan War still raging and the world is getting mixed signals from both US President Donald Trump and the Iranian leadership about possible ceasefire negotiations, small countries like the Philippines do not have many options.
We need oil to make our economy running, even just for survival in these turbulent times.
The country usually gets its supply of energy, both crude oil and LNG, from the Middle East, and these oil tankers have to pass the Strait of Hormuz, the most important body of water in our generation, made even more important by the war.
It is often reported that 20 percent of the world’s oil supplies pass the Strait of Hormuz, and with Iran controlling this place and letting only friendly foreign ships to pass, woe to those who have taken the pugnacious stance against this Islamic republic.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has confirmed what the IRGC had been saying all along: that the Strait of Hormuz is not really closed. It is open to commercial shipping for countries not considered enemies of Iran. As a matter of fact, bulk carriers and tankers bound for India and Pakistan have been allowed to pass.
The only change is that Iran has decided to charge $2 million for every oil tanker using the strait. These tankers usually carry loads worth millions of dollars, aside from costing some $200 million themselves. And the toll to be paid should be in no other currency but the Chinese yuan.
In the face of the country’s pressing need for oil, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed Foreign Affairs Secretary to hold talks with Iran to ensure the safe passage of Philippine-bound oil ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Palace announced that Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro will meet with Iranian Ambassador Yousef Esmaeil Zadeh to discuss the issue as part of efforts to ensure the Philippines’ energy security in the face of soaring fuel prices, an offshoot of the war stupidly initiated by Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Marcos gave the order to Lazaro during a meeting of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) committee last Monday.
“Yesterday, the UPLIFT had a meeting and the President gave that order to Secretary Tess Lazaro, and according to Secretary Tess Lazaro of DFA, she will talk to the ambassador of Iran, most probably tomorrow. If not tomorrow, by next week,” Castro said at a press briefing.
This meeting will probably be held after the Holy Week, since everybody is in a holiday mood this week.
We Filipinos are “praying” and hoping that Ambassador Zadeh of Iran would kindly consider the requests Tess Lazaro will profer, as energy cooperation with Iran means extending a national lifeline for the Philippines.
One hurdle that I see is that the Philippines hosts 9 military bases of the United States of America on its soil, and although they are far away from Iran, the fact that these are American military facilities is enough to make Iran’s blood boil.
Unlike Tarriela, Trinidad, Batongbacal and Hontiveros, the Iranian diplomats cannot be hoodwinked as to believe that the nine EDCA bases are Philippine military bases and that the government controls its use. That is a lot of bull, and Iranians know that.
In the diplomatic community, Iran also is waiting for countries like the Philippines to express their condemnation of the surprise attack by US-Israel on Tehran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khameini, his generals and officials, and some 178 school children. There was no coming from Bongbong Marcos.
Also, Iran considers China a dependable ally and close friend. China whose RMB would soon be the toll ticket in the Strait of Hormuz. The China that has been consistently vilified and disparaged by General Jay Tarriela, our Armed Forces, media, representatives and senators, and even by Malacañang.
Tess Lazaro is in for quite a difficult task talking with Zadeh.
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