TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries affirmed the importance of maintaining maritime safety and security. The ministers also called for nations to uphold freedom of navigation in the straits used for international navigation, which is outlined particularly in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This was conveyed in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Evolving Situation in the Middle East on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
"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," the statement quoted.
The statement also called for the restoration of safe, unimpeded, and continuous shipping and air passage in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with UNCLOS 1982, and urged all parties to ensure the safety of seafarers and ships in accordance with the International Convention on 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," the statement said.
The statement urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid escalation, and emphasized the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability, and prosperity through respect for international law, dialogue, diplomacy, and an immediate cessation of all hostilities in the Middle East.
Furthermore, the statement affirmed the obligation of every state to resolve disputes peacefully, respect sovereignty and territorial integrity, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure the safety of humanitarian and UN personnel in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions.
The Philippines is chairing ASEAN in 2026, under the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," and is hosting the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Manila on Tuesday.
The meeting in Manila will run until July 24 and includes meetings with ASEAN dialogue partners, ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum, which brings together major powers including the US, China, Russia, Japan, India, and the European Union to discuss regional and global security challenges.
On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum ending the conflict that began on February 28. However, since July 8, US forces have carried out a series of attacks on Iran.
US Central Command claimed the attacks were in response to Iranian actions against commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces retaliated with attacks on US bases in the Middle East.
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