Trump’s Hormuz deadline looms but Asian nations have already struck deals with Iran
Trump’s Hormuz Deadline Looms but Asian Nations Have Already Struck Deals with Iran
On Monday, Donald Trump, the US president, issued a warning that Iran could be targeted ‘in one night’ if it failed to agree on a deal by 20:00 Washington DC time on Tuesday (00:00GMT Wednesday) to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, even before this latest ultimatum, several countries had already secured assurances with Tehran for their vessels to navigate the vital shipping route.
The critical waterway has become a global focal point after Iran retaliated against US and Israeli airstrikes by vowing to attack ships passing through it. This move triggered a sharp rise in oil prices, as the strait serves as a key conduit for a fifth of the world’s energy shipments. Despite the disruption, Asian nations—most recently the Philippines—have actively pursued agreements with Tehran to ensure safe passage for their vessels.
Asian Countries Take the Lead
Asian nations, whose economies depend heavily on Gulf energy, have been particularly proactive in negotiating with Iran. The Philippines, for example, reached a deal after a productive phone conversation with Tehran on Thursday, securing ‘safe, unhindered and expeditious passage’ for its ships. According to Theresa Lazaro, the country’s foreign affairs secretary, this agreement was ‘vital’ for maintaining energy and fertiliser supplies.
The Philippines imports 98% of its oil from the Middle East and faced its first national energy emergency when petrol prices doubled following the Iran war’s outbreak. Meanwhile, Pakistan announced on 28 March that Iran had agreed to allow 20 of its ships through the strait. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called this a ‘welcome and constructive gesture’, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic efforts.
Uncertainty Over Iran’s Commitments
Questions persist about the extent of Iran’s guarantees. Dimitris Maniatis from Marisks noted that it’s unclear whether the assurances apply to all vessels under a specific country or only select ones. Roger Fouquet of the National University of Singapore’s Energy Studies Institute highlighted the Philippines’ role as an intriguing case, suggesting Iran may be willing to ‘compartmentalise’ its alliances, distinguishing between geopolitical ties and active conflict involvement.
China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, also confirmed recent shipments through the strait. A foreign ministry spokeswoman stated that ‘three Chinese vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz’ following coordination with relevant parties. Vessel-tracking data shows that despite US sanctions, millions of barrels of Iranian oil have reached China in recent weeks. The nation maintains friendly ties with Tehran and has joined Pakistan in pushing for a US-Iran ceasefire.
India, another key player, has seen its tankers granted passage by Iran. The Iranian Embassy in India recently reassured that ‘our Indian friends are in safe hands, no worries’, responding to a South African embassy claim that ‘only Iran and Oman’ would control the strait’s future. India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, attributed the safe passage to diplomatic efforts, as reported in March.
As the deadline approaches, uncertainty remains about the conditions under which ships have negotiated safe transit. Reports indicate some vessels may have paid to cross the strait, though details are sparse. Over the weekend, a Japan-related development emerged, signaling ongoing shifts in regional dynamics.
