Renewed fighting between the United States and Iran has overshadowed the ASEAN gathering held in Manila on July 23, 2026. The Philippines hosted foreign ministers from Southeast Asia, who were expected to address key regional security issues such as the civil war in Myanmar and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The conflict between the US and Iran has significantly impacted Asia by disrupting energy and food supplies, international trade, and raising concerns about a potential global economic slowdown. ASEAN diplomats have expressed serious concern over the war and the resulting energy crisis.

Political scientist Richard Heydarian, author of Indo-Pacific: Trump, China and the New Struggle for Global Mastery, and Phar Kim Ben, a professor in ASEAN studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia and former Director of Political & Security Community at the ASEAN Secretariat, have highlighted the challenges Southeast Asia faces amid the fallout from the Iran war.

At the summit, US Senator Marco Rubio emphasized the need for the US and China to "work through" their significant differences to address regional issues effectively.

Sources