ASEAN Foreign ministers call for immediate ceasefire in the Middle East

Saturday 14 March 2026 - 13:40

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East as tensions continue to escalate across the region.

The appeal came during a special virtual meeting hosted by the government of the Philippines, where ASEAN members discussed the rapidly evolving situation and its potential implications for Southeast Asia.

In a joint statement, the ministers urged all parties involved in the conflict to halt hostilities and prioritize diplomacy and dialogue to resolve their differences. They stressed that maintaining peace and stability remains essential for global security.

The ministers also emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

ASEAN currently includes ten member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Brunei. Meanwhile, Timor‑Leste has recently been admitted as the bloc’s newest member.

Regional tensions surged after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, according to Iranian authorities, resulting in significant casualties and destruction.

Following the attacks, Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as several countries hosting US military assets, including Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states.

The situation further intensified after Iran effectively closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz on March 1. The vital waterway normally handles around 20 million barrels of oil shipments per day and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.

ASEAN leaders warned that prolonged instability in the Middle East could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and international security, reiterating their call for restraint and peaceful dialogue.