Iran's demands over the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent, Rubio tells Asian leaders - AP News

What the report says

Associated Press reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Asian foreign ministers on Wednesday that Iran’s demands involving the Strait of Hormuz could endanger the global economy and undermine freedom of navigation. Speaking in Manila during meetings linked to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Rubio said Iran’s push to control the waterway and collect tolls would create a dangerous precedent with consequences beyond the Middle East, including for Asia.

The ASEAN gathering in the Philippine capital brought together Southeast Asian counterparts and major outside powers, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. AP reported that ASEAN officials have voiced concern about renewed war in the Middle East and its effects on their region. Rubio also said Iran had reached out to the United States directly and indirectly about talks, but he contended that Tehran had not upheld commitments after prior agreements. He added that Washington remained willing to pursue negotiated settlements.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay city, Metro Manila, on July 22, 2026. AP photos showed Rubio meeting regional officials, including representatives from East Timor, Vietnam and Cambodia, and appearing alongside Japan’s Toshimitsu Motegi and India’s S. Jaishankar.

The Strait of Hormuz is widely regarded as one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints because it links the Persian Gulf with open sea lanes used for energy shipments. Any attempt to restrict passage or impose unilateral control there could raise broader concerns for trading nations that depend on secure sea routes.