ASEAN, major powers tackle regional security threats amid Middle East turmoil

Foreign ministers from major powers convened with their Southeast Asian counterparts in Manila for the ASEAN Regional Forum, addressing pressing security concerns including maritime tensions, the Middle East energy crisis, and the proliferation of online scams. The meeting, held on July 23, 2026, occurred against a backdrop of significant geopolitical instability.

Central to the discussions was the escalating conflict in the Middle East, particularly renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran. ASEAN ministers issued a joint statement expressing serious concern and calling for an immediate halt to the fighting and the full, safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy shipping corridor. The region's heavy reliance on Middle East oil and gas underscored the economic implications of these tensions.

Discussions also encompassed ongoing disputes in the South China Sea and efforts to revive stalled initiatives for resolving the conflict in Myanmar. The importance of maintaining regional peace, stability, and upholding international law was emphasized, with a call for peaceful resolution of differences and respect for national sovereignty. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were among the high-profile attendees, with numerous bilateral meetings also taking place on the sidelines.