The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed guarded hope on Wednesday over planned peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, to be mediated by Pakistan, urging all sides to work toward ending the weeks-long conflict in the Middle East.
“We hope that the negotiations will lead to the permanent end of the conflict and lasting peace,” the DFA said in a statement.
The development followed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire by Washington and Tehran, which U.S. President Donald Trump said would help pave the way for reopening the Strait of Hormuz—a vital corridor through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes. The waterway had been effectively blocked by Iran in response to US and Israeli airstrikes beginning February 28 that reportedly killed its leader and other senior officials.
The DFA underscored the importance of diplomacy, expressing hope that all parties would resolve their differences through “earnest dialogue and diplomacy.” It noted that the ongoing conflict has already resulted in “significant loss of lives and damage to civilian and economic infrastructure, as well as disruptions in the global economy.”
The situation has raised particular concern for the Philippines, which has an estimated 2.4 million overseas Filipino workers in the region. The country also depends heavily on Middle Eastern fuel imports, and the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has led to sharp increases in local fuel prices in recent weeks.
By expressing “cautious optimism,” Manila signaled its support for peaceful negotiations while recognizing the high stakes for both Filipinos abroad and the global economy should the conflict continue.