ASEAN top diplomats meet in Manila, urge restraint amid Iran tensions

Southeast Asian diplomats kick off talks in Manila, capital of the Philippines, as they urge restraint in Middle East conflict.

A series of related meetings, including conferences with external partners such as China, the US, and Japan will take place in the days ahead.

The Middle East turmoil cast a shadow over the ongoing meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that is set to call for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The recent US-Iran hostilities at sea has once again raised fears about energy supplies through the critical waterway after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national emergency in March to ensure the availability of fuel and food in the country.

The Philippine Foreign Secretary and ASEAN Chair Theresa Lazaro told reporters that officials had grave concern for the situation in Iran. "There is, of course, serious concern on the developments of the Middle East. In fact, if you notice, this is just one - this is the only document that involves geopolitics in our discussions."

During the opening session, she noted the region's strength and resilience lie in their community, stressing it is a strategic necessity for countries to work together because "in a fractured global landscape, no single nation can weather these storms alone."

A statement by ASEAN foreign ministers has been released after a closed-door meeting to urge "all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint and avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation".

The statement writes, "We are deeply concerned that these developments severely undermine the ongoing effort of key mediators and diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia's top diplomat Sergey Lavrov later participated in the annual talks.

Beijing announces member of the Politburo and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is slated to attend the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Wednesday, as China expects expanding consensus on development and cooperation with the 11-member bloc.

A bilateral meeting between Rubio and Wang is anticipated.

Meanwhile, the civil war in Myanmar and disputes over the South China Sea remain tests for ASEAN.

Ahead of the gathering, China's Coast Guard fiercely refuted Manila's claims that Chinese personnel had aggressively struck one of its navy personnel near Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea.

The foreign ministry warns the ASEAN cooperation platform is not a place for maritime-related issues.