ASEAN Foreign Minister’s statement on the evolving situation in the Middle East

ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS’ STATEMENT ON THE EVOLVING SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
21 JULY 2026

1. We expressed serious concern over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly the renewed hostilities involving the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. We are deeply concerned that these developments severely undermine the ongoing efforts of key mediators and diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.

2. We 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.

3. We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining maritime safety and security, and upholding freedom of navigation in and overflight above straits used for international navigation, in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 UNCLOS. We expressed deep concern over any discriminatory or unilateral measures, that may impede or obstruct vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, or any straits used for international navigation, which are inconsistent with international law, as reflected in the 1982 UNCLOS, and called for the restoration of the safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage of vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with th  1982 UNCLOS, as well as for all parties to ensure the safety of seafarers and ships in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). ASEAN also acknowledged the International Maritime Organization’s collective commitment to ensure the protection and promotion
of the safety and well-being of the seafarers in the region.

4. We recognised the immediate and long-term effects of the Middle East crisis on the well-being of our people. 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.

5. We acknowledged the further implications of the continued tensions in the Middle East on regional trade, energy, and food security, including energy markets and supply chains, agricultural production, and the stability of agricultural input supply chains, particularly fertilizers. We underscored the importance of strengthening cross-pillars and cross-sectoral coordination within ASEAN to address the broader implications of evolving global developments which will help sustain ASEAN’s stability, sustainability, resilience, and inclusive growth in an increasingly uncertain and unpredictable global environment.

6. We further reaffirmed the obligations of all States to resolve their differences through peaceful means, and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in armed conflicts, and to ensure the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law, the UN Charter, and relevant UNSC resolutions.

7. We also re-emphasised the shared commitment to provide emergency assistance to ASEAN nationals, especially during this time, in accordance with the ASEAN Declaration on the Guidelines on Consular Assistance by ASEAN Member States’ Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of Other ASEAN Member States and the Guidelines for the Provision of Emergency Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEAN Member Countries in Crisis Situations.

8. We recalled the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Response to the Middle East Crisis and reaffirmed our commitment to strengthen coordination of ASEAN’s responses and positions to minimise and mitigate the impacts of the situation to our region, including by effectively utilising ASEAN-led mechanisms and external platforms, including the ASEAN Plus Ones, ASEAN’s Plus One Free Trade Areas (FTAs), APT, the EAS and the ARF, to promote dialogue, coordination and cooperation to build regional resilience