ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet Amid U.S.-Iran Tensions and South China Sea Disputes
Foreign ministers from ASEAN and major partner nations gathered in Manila on July 21, 2026, for a diplomatic meeting overshadowed by renewed U.S.-Iran conflict, which raises concerns about energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, inflation, and global growth. The meeting also addresses regional challenges including tensions in the South China Sea, where ASEAN and China have struggled for nearly a decade to finalize a code of conduct. The Philippines accused China of aggressively striking a navy personnel near Second Thomas Shoal, which China denied. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an opinion piece, reaffirmed U.S. commitment to freedom of navigation and the 2016 arbitral ruling against China's claims. Additionally, diplomats will hold informal consultations on Myanmar's civil war, which has killed an estimated 100,000 people since the 2021 coup, as ASEAN's peace initiative falters.
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