Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to call for freedom of navigation through international straits as they conclude a week of high-level meetings in Manila, with the ongoing US-Iran conflict dominating regional discussions. A draft joint communique seen by AFP indicates that ASEAN leaders will stress the importance of keeping key global maritime routes open amid growing concerns over energy security and international trade. The meetings have been heavily influenced by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly after disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The vital waterway, a major transit route for global oil supplies, has become a focal point of international concern as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to affect energy markets and regional economies. According to the draft communique, ASEAN will include stronger language than in previous statements by calling for "freedom of navigation in and overflight above straits." The statement is also expected to urge all parties to ensure "unimpeded" passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the bloc's growing concern over the impact of maritime disruptions on fuel-importing economies.

The draft also reiterates ASEAN's call for restraint by all sides involved in the Middle East conflict, warning that further escalation could deepen economic instability across Southeast Asia. Many countries in the region rely heavily on imported energy, making them particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions and rising crude oil prices. During the meetings, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned ASEAN foreign ministers that Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz would create a "dangerous precedent" for international shipping. He emphasised that protecting freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of global trade and maritime security.

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"There is a fundamental principle about freedom of navigation that is threatened," Rubio said while addressing regional diplomats. His remarks came as Washington continues efforts to restore commercial shipping through the strategic waterway amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The ASEAN meetings, which began earlier this week, also unfolded against the backdrop of renewed tensions in the South China Sea. Shortly before the ministerial sessions opened, another confrontation occurred between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed waters, underscoring the region's broader maritime security challenges.

For many ASEAN member states, the dual concerns of instability in the Middle East and disputes in the South China Sea have reinforced the need to protect international shipping lanes that are essential for global trade and energy supplies. The Philippines, which has declared a national emergency over fuel shortages linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, has been among the countries most directly affected. The final ASEAN communique is expected to reaffirm the bloc's commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, respect for international law and the protection of freedom of navigation. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise across multiple regions, Southeast Asian nations are seeking to balance diplomatic engagement with major powers while safeguarding their own economic and security interests.

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