Rubio to ASEAN: Allowing Iran to control Hormuz may set dangerous precedent

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that allowing Iran to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could establish a dangerous precedent that may be repeated in other parts of the world, including Southeast Asia.

Speaking before foreign ministers at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Post-Ministerial Conference with the United States, Rubio said Iran was demanding authority it did not have under existing international legal mechanisms to control passage through the strategic international waterway.

Rubio said Southeast Asia understands the importance of protecting international waters, given the region's dependence on major maritime routes for trade, energy and economic security.

"If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation-state can decide that they're gonna control an international waterway, charge a toll, if you don't pay them they will blow up your ships, we have created a very dangerous precedent which will repeat itself in other parts of the world including in this region," Rubio said.

The conference was held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Pasay City, where the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran has emerged as one of the region's major security and economic concerns.

ASEAN foreign ministers on Tuesday expressed "serious concern" over the renewed hostilities and called on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and immediately stop the fighting.

The regional bloc also emphasized the need to maintain safe, continuous and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while warning of the conflict's possible effects on seafarers, international trade, energy supplies and food security.

Rubio, however, accused Iran of failing to honor agreements. He added that Washington would take the necessary action to protect the interests of the America and its allied nations.

"Unfortunately, so far, even though we've reached agreements, they have not kept their commitments, and as the President stated…the problem we're having now is that they are not serious with talks. If they're serious, we're serious; if they're not, then we will do what is necessary to protect our interest and also the interest of our allies," Rubio said.

The renewed tensions have raised concerns over another possible increase in global oil prices, which could affect fuel costs and the prices of basic goods in the Philippines.

Southeast Asian countries rely heavily on oil and gas supplies from the Middle East and remain vulnerable to disruptions in global energy markets.

Rubio said the United States was prepared to work with ASEAN in addressing energy-related concerns arising from the conflict.

Rubio and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro also held a bilateral meeting Tuesday night ahead of the conference.

During the meeting with ASEAN ministers, Rubio recalled visiting the Philippines before taking on the Cabinet post in the Trump administration and praised the country's hosting of the ASEAN meetings.

"We've fallen in love with your country. I've visited here many years as a senator, but it's so much fun to visit as Secretary of State, and I think you've done a phenomenal job, and I thank you," Rubio said. — VDV, GMA News