US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed envoys at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Manila on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, warning that allowing Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz and impose a toll would establish a "dangerous precedent" with consequences extending beyond the Middle East.

Rubio emphasized the threat to the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, stating, "If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation-state can decide to control an international waterway, charge a toll, and blow up your ships if you don't pay, we have created a very dangerous precedent that will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including this region."

He noted that Iran demands the right to control transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a claim not supported by any existing legal mechanism. Rubio's remarks coincided with US Central Command's announcement that it had been striking military targets in Iran for the 11th consecutive night to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the waterway.

Rubio also highlighted ongoing regional maritime disputes, including overlapping claims in the South China Sea involving China and ASEAN member states. He affirmed the United States' openness to constructive negotiations, provided commitments are honored, but criticized Tehran for not taking negotiations seriously.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international waterway, and Rubio's statements underline concerns about maintaining free and secure maritime passage globally.

Sources