Trump’s deadline looms but Asian nations already have deals with Iran

On Monday, US President Donald Trump threatened to take out Iran “in one night” if it failed to agree a deal by 20:00 Washington DC time on Tuesday (00:00GMT Wednesday) to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

But even before his latest threat some countries had secured deals with Tehran for their vessels to use the key shipping route.

In recent weeks – several Asian countries including Pakistan,India and the Philippines – have made agreements with Tehran to letsome ships pass through the strait safely. China has also acknowledged that their vessels have also used the channel.

Questions remain over the scope of these assurances and just how lasting these agreements with Iran will be.

We still don’t know whether the guarantees apply only to some ships or all vessels flagged under a certain country, said Dimitris Maniatis from shipping consultancy Marisks.

Nevertheless, countries that need the Gulf’s energy are now recognising that they must engage with Iran if they want to resume shipments, said Roc Shi from the University of Technology Sydney.

The fruits of diplomacy

The Philippines is the latest nation to strike a deal with Iran.

Iranian officials assured the “safe, unhindered and expeditious passage” for Philippines-flagged ships through the waterway, said Theresa Lazaro, the South East Asian country’s foreign affairs secretary.

She said the agreement – reached after “a very productive phone conversation” with Tehran on Thursday – was “vital” in helping to ensure energy and fertiliser supplies.