ASEAN urges US, Iran to end war, warns of ‘limbo’ crisis
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has called on the US and Iran to cease hostilities and open the Strait of Hormuz. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., hosting the ASEAN summit, said peace is the “fundamental” first step to resolving the broader Middle East crisis.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday urged the United States and Iran to end their ongoing war, warning that the current situation remains in a dangerous “limbo” with no clear indication whether the fragile ceasefire is holding.
‘Peace now’ says Marcos
Speaking after hosting the 48th ASEAN summit in the Philippine province of Cebu, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters that all parties to the conflict must cease hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “We now are in a limbo situation about how long it (war) is going to last,” Marcos said when asked about discussions among ASEAN leaders regarding the US-Israel war with Iran that began on February 28. “We don’t know when the next encounter is going to be.” He questioned: “Is the ceasefire on? Is it not on? Is Israel included? Is Hezbollah included? It is a very difficult situation.”
Peace first, solutions later
Marcos emphasized that no diplomatic progress can be achieved while bombings continue. “Until the fighting ends, until bombings end, it is very difficult to put together any kind of solution.” He described peace as the “fundamental” first step toward resolving the broader regional crisis and stabilizing the Middle East. “That is fundamental to any discussion about the war in the Middle East. We will absolutely achieve nothing until there is peace.” The war has left over 3,300 dead in Iran and thousands displaced. A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8 and has since been extended by the US side, but uncertainty persists.
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Energy security concerns
The ASEAN summit focused heavily on the Middle East conflict’s fallout, particularly concerns over disruptions to oil shipments and maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. Marcos said ASEAN member states are coordinating contingency measures to secure fuel supplies amid fears of prolonged instability. “The call essentially is: Peace now,” he said. Türkiye, which has consistently supported mediation efforts and called for an end to the conflict, welcomes ASEAN’s urgent appeal and continues to work with regional and international partners to restore stability.
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