Trump’s deadline looms but Asian nations already have deals with Iran
Trump’s Deadline Looms But Asian Nations Already Have Deals With Iran
US President Donald Trump warned of a potential strike on Iran within a single night if the country failed to reach a deal by 20:00 Washington DC time on Tuesday (00:00GMT Wednesday). Yet, several nations had already secured agreements with Tehran for their ships to transit the crucial Strait of Hormuz before the deadline. Asian countries, including the Philippines, have been particularly proactive in negotiating access to the vital shipping route.
Asian Nations Secure Agreements with Iran
The strategic waterway has emerged as a focal point for international tensions after Tehran retaliated against US and Israeli airstrikes by threatening to block ships. Oil prices have risen sharply due to disruptions in the channel, which handles a fifth of the world’s energy shipments. Despite Trump’s stance, countries dependent on Gulf energy have sought direct engagement with Iran to safeguard their interests.
“Our Indian friends are in safe hands, no worries,” the Iranian Embassy in India posted on X last week.
The Philippines, the most recent nation to finalize an arrangement, received assurances from Iranian officials for “safe, unhindered and expeditious passage” of its vessels. Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro highlighted that the agreement, reached during a productive phone conversation on Thursday, was “vital” for securing energy and fertiliser supplies. The country relies on 98% of its oil imports from the Middle East and faced its first national energy emergency when petrol prices doubled following the Iran war’s outbreak.
Uncertainty Over Iran’s Claims and Deal Conditions
There is still ambiguity surrounding the extent of these assurances. Dimitris Maniatis of shipping consultancy Marisks noted that it remains unclear whether the guarantees apply to all vessels or only specific ones. Meanwhile, Roger Fouquet from the National University of Singapore’s Energy Studies Institute pointed out that the Philippines, often considered a US ally, represents an intriguing case. “Iran appears to be distinguishing between a country’s alliance and its active participation in the conflict,” he remarked.
Pakistan announced on 28 March that 20 of its ships had been granted passage through the strait. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar praised Iran’s “welcome and constructive gesture,” emphasizing that diplomacy is essential. India, too, has secured safe passage for its tankers, with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar attributing the success to diplomatic efforts.
Shipment Data and Diplomatic Efforts
China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, confirmed that some of its vessels had crossed the strait recently. A foreign ministry spokeswoman noted that “following coordination with relevant parties, three Chinese vessels recently transited” the channel. Vessel-tracking data reveal that millions of barrels of US-sanctioned Iranian oil have been delivered to China, despite the ongoing conflict. Beijing maintains friendly relations with Tehran and has joined Pakistan in attempting to broker a ceasefire between the US and Iran.
It remains unclear under what terms these ships negotiated safe passage or if they paid for access. As the situation evolves, the global reliance on the strait underscores the need for continued diplomatic outreach from countries seeking energy stability.