US Senator Marco Rubio warned Southeast Asian nations on July 22, 2026, that allowing Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz would set a 'dangerous precedent.' Speaking at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Vientiane, Laos, Rubio emphasized the strategic importance of the waterway for global energy supplies.
Rubio's comments come amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, where Iran has previously threatened to disrupt shipping through the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint, with about 20% of the world's oil passing through it daily.
ASEAN members, including major oil importers like Indonesia and the Philippines, have expressed concern over potential disruptions. Rubio urged the bloc to support freedom of navigation and oppose any unilateral control by Iran.
The senator's remarks were part of a broader US effort to rally allies against Iranian aggression. No immediate response from Iranian officials was reported.
