U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that allowing Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz—by collecting tolls and directing action against shipping—would set a “dangerous precedent” beyond the Middle East. Rubio argues that if a nation-state can decide to control an international waterway, charge for passage, and retaliate against ships that do not pay, the model could spread to other regions, including Southeast Asia.
The remarks come as U.S. Central Command says it has begun striking military targets in Iran for the “11th consecutive night,” aiming to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the strait. Several outlets report the regional backdrop includes broader concerns about major trade routes, and one notes that some ASEAN states are also dealing with overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea.
While the reports focus on Rubio’s warning, they consistently link it to ongoing U.S. military actions and Iran-related risks to commerce in one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints.
