Rubio says Iran controlling Strait of Hormuz would set dangerous precedent

Key Points:

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Asian leaders that Iran's demand to control and collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz threatens global economic stability and freedom of navigation, cautioning against setting a dangerous precedent.
• Rubio reassured ASEAN members of U.S. support amid Middle East conflicts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open international waterways and regional stability.
• At the ASEAN summit in Manila, Rubio and foreign ministers from the U.S., China, Russia, and other countries discussed regional security, with the Quad partnership (U.S., Australia, India, Japan) reaffirming their commitment to maritime security initiatives countering China's influence.
• Rubio met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss regional issues, the Iran conflict, and progress toward finalizing an interim trade agreement aimed at reducing U.S. tariffs on Indian goods.
• The summit also focused on territorial disputes in the South China Sea involving China, Taiwan, and ASEAN members, with Rubio scheduled for a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines.