President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs to start negotiations with Iran to allow the safe passage of Philippine-bound oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz,

The move is expected to ease the current fuel situation in the country.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said government will bank on the country’s good relations with Iran.

That ahs already been ordered by the president. She will be meeting with the Ambassador of Iran, most probably by tomorrow or next week,” said Castro referring to DFA Secretary Tess Lazaro.

Lazaro has assured Malacañang that the Philippine government has been maintaining a good relationship with Iran.

A positive response from Iran will help ensure steady delivery of oil to the country notwithstanding the continued hostilities in the Middle East.

Almost immediately after the start of the Middle East war, Iran maintained a stranglehold of the Strait of Hormuz which seves as the passage of at least 20 percent of the world's oil supply.

On Tuesday (March 31), an Iranian drone damaged a Kuwait-flagged crude oil tanker that was anchored at the Dubai port.

According to Dubai authorities the drone attack caused a fire on the Al SAlmi tanker.

Nobody was injured while no oil leak was reported.