MANILA, Philippines – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned in Manila on Wednesday that any attempt by Iran to control international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and impose tolls on vessels would set a “very dangerous precedent” that could threaten freedom of navigation and the global economy, including in Asia.
Speaking during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the Philippine capital, Rubio said allowing a country to control an international waterway by charging tolls and threatening ships that refuse to pay could encourage similar actions elsewhere in the world.
“If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation state can decide that they are going to control an international waterway, charge a toll and if you don’t pay them, blow up your ships, we have created a very dangerous precedent which will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including in this region,” Rubio told Asian foreign ministers.
Rubio’s remarks came as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global shipping and energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil shipments. Any disruption to navigation through the waterway could have significant economic consequences for oil-importing nations, including many countries in Southeast Asia.
The U.S. secretary also said Washington remains willing to pursue diplomacy but accused Tehran of failing to engage seriously in negotiations aimed at easing the conflict.
“The problem we’re having right now is that they’re not serious about talks,” Rubio said, adding that the United States remains prepared to negotiate if Iran demonstrates a genuine willingness to do so.
Rubio sought to reassure ASEAN members that despite the United States’ increasing focus on the Middle East conflict, Washington remains committed to its engagement in Southeast Asia.
“We’re with ASEAN 100%,” he told regional leaders, emphasizing continued U.S. support for the bloc amid ongoing geopolitical challenges in both the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.
The Middle East crisis dominated discussions at this year’s ASEAN meetings in Manila, with member states expressing concern that prolonged instability could further disrupt global energy supplies, increase fuel prices, and slow economic growth across the region. ASEAN foreign ministers also reiterated the importance of diplomacy, restraint, and respect for international law in addressing regional and global security challenges.
On the sidelines of the meetings, Rubio also met with counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan under the Quad framework, where they reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and expressed concern over coercive actions in the South and East China Seas. He also held separate discussions with other regional leaders, underscoring the strategic importance of the Philippines and Southeast Asia in U.S. foreign policy.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
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- Venus L Peñaflor
