ASEAN foreign ministers express concern over evolving situation in the Middle East

The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 21, 2026 expressed “serious concern” over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, following renewed hostilities involving the United States and Iran.

In the statement, the ASEAN foreign ministers highlighted the regional bloc’s deep concern over the worsening situation in the Middle East and warned that the renewed hostilities undermine the ongoing diplomatic efforts and weaken the prospects for peaceful resolution.

Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who chairs this year’s ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), announced the issuance of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Evolving Situation in the Middle East during a press huddle at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Lazaro said the statement was proposed by the Philippines as ASEAN Chair in response to the escalating conflict and the need to reaffirm ASEAN’s collective commitment to peace, stability, and diplomacy.

“There is, of course, serious concern on the developments of the Middle East… There is grave concern… this is of such urgency that we have to release the document as soon as possible,” said Lazaro.

The statement “called on all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint and avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation.”

“We underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, upholding international law, and promoting genuine dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts and tensions, including the need for a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East,” it added.

The ministers also stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They expressed concern over any discriminatory or unilateral measures that could obstruct the passage of vessels through the vital maritime chokepoint or other international waterways and called for the restoration of safe and uninterrupted transit while ensuring the safety of seafarers and ships in line with international maritime conventions.

The ministers likewise recognized the immediate and long-term impact of the conflict on regional trade, energy and food security, supply chains, and the well-being of ASEAN citizens.

“We noted the ongoing initiatives, both at the regional and national levels, to promote measures to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of external shocks, and to support access to healthcare, and basic services for our people, particularly people in vulnerable situations, through appropriate, timely and targeted responses,” the statement said.

Recognizing the broader implications of the conflict, the ministers also highlighted its potential impact on regional trade, energy security, food security, global supply chains, agricultural production, and fertilizer supplies.

They underscored the need for stronger cross-sectoral coordination within ASEAN to enhance the region’s resilience, sustainability, stability, and inclusive growth in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

The foreign ministers likewise reaffirmed the obligation of all states to settle disputes peacefully, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts, and ensure the safety of United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel in accordance with international law, international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

They also reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to providing emergency consular assistance to ASEAN nationals affected by crises through existing regional mechanisms and guidelines on consular cooperation among ASEAN member states.

The ministers recalled the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle East Crisis, which they issued last May, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ASEAN’s coordination and collective response through ASEAN-led mechanisms and dialogue platforms, including the ASEAN Plus One partnerships, ASEAN Plus One Free Trade Areas, ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, to help mitigate the impact of the crisis and strengthen regional resilience.