ASEAN urges US, Iran to continue talks after ceasefire

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday urged the United States and Iran to continue negotiations toward a permanent resolution of their conflict after the two countries agreed to a two-week ceasefire.

“We urge the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue negotiations that will lead to the permanent end of the conflict and lasting peace and stability in the region," ASEAN said in a statement, welcoming the development.

"We commend the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all parties involved for their collaborative efforts in this regard,” it added.

The bloc stressed the need for continued diplomacy and respect for international law in resolving conflicts and ensuring stability in the region.

“We underscore the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability, and prosperity; upholding international law; and promoting earnest dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means of addressing conflicts and tensions, including the need for a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East,” it said.

ASEAN also emphasized the importance of maintaining maritime safety and security and upholding freedom of navigation along the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil export routes.

US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran less than two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

“This will be a double-sided CEASEFIRE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East.”

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines would take advantage of the two-week ceasefire to secure petroleum supplies.

“So we will take full advantage of the two weeks to increase our supply as much as possible and to continue to make whatever arrangements are possible. We are all hoping and praying that the two-week ceasefire will be extended if the talks go well,” Marcos said.

This year, ASEAN is under the Philippines’ chairmanship with the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” focusing on three priorities: peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.

In a virtual press conference, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said ASEAN is eyeing the establishment of an ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Crisis Communications Protocol.

She said this would enable timely consultations, information sharing, and policy coordination during major crises affecting the region.

“With the focus on geoeconomic issues and shocks, we want to circulate a paper on this to our ASEAN member states,” Lazaro said.

During the Second Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East, Lazaro said member-states agreed to further strengthen cooperation to respond promptly to challenges affecting the region.

She added that discussions also included prioritizing energy supply among ASEAN member-states during crises, as well as ensuring food security.—MCG, GMA News