ASEAN diplomats voice ‘serious concern’ over Iran war and energy crisis

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing its staff and Reuters, reported that ASEAN foreign ministers expressed deep concern on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, over the effects of Middle East maritime blockades on trade and energy supplies. The diplomats met in Manila, Philippines, as the US-Israel war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted oil flows, with the bloc warning that such developments weaken mediation efforts and reduce the chance of a diplomatic settlement.

According to the report, Southeast Asian economies are especially exposed because many depend heavily on oil imports from Gulf states. ASEAN countries, with a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion, are discussing an oil-sharing mechanism at the Manila summit to cushion the impact of shortages and higher prices. Al Jazeera also reported that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on Monday, raising concern that the energy and shipping crisis could widen beyond the Gulf.

Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Lo, reporting from Manila, said the conflict has pushed up oil and gas prices in Southeast Asia and affected manufacturing and exports. He cited the Philippines as an example, noting that it had declared a national energy emergency and had sought oil from non-traditional suppliers such as Russia and China while having limited ability to control market-driven fuel prices.

The summit is also drawing senior diplomats from the United States, Russia and China, underscoring the broader diplomatic fallout. Other issues on ASEAN’s agenda include Myanmar’s civil war and South China Sea tensions, including efforts with China to finalize a code of conduct and recent friction between Beijing and Manila after a vessel confrontation injured a Filipino sailor.