Marco Rubio arrives at ASEAN talks dominated by China tensions and the Iran war, as Southeast Asian governments increasingly weigh strategic partnerships against concerns over energy costs, shipping disruptions, inflation, and economic stability.

Marco Rubio told ASEAN ministers that any Iranian toll regime in the Strait of Hormuz would imperil global trade. He used the Manila meetings to stress US backing for ASEAN and wider maritime security norms.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran's challenge to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz threatened not only global trade but also risked setting a dangerous precedent for Asia's contested maritime routes.

“There is a fundamental principle about freedom of navigation that is threatened,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told envoys at a Manila gathering of ASEAN.

“There is a fundamental principle about freedom of navigation that is threatened,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told envoys at a Manila gathering of ASEAN.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Iran's challenge to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz threatened not only global trade but also risked setting a dangerous precedent for Asia's contested maritime routes.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Asian leaders that Iran's demand to control the Strait of Hormuz threatens the global economy and freedom of navigation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran faces consequences for violating commitments, saying Tehran demands illegal control over the Strait of Hormuz.