ASEAN foreign ministers have called for the restoration of safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit of vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz and the full implementation of a fragile two-week ceasefire, even as peace talks in the Middle East have stalled days after the agreement was announced.
In a statement issued April 13, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations warned that disruptions in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints could ripple across global markets and destabilize economies, particularly in Asia.
“We call for the restoration of the safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage of vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz… as well as for all parties to ensure the safety of seafarers and ships,” the ministers said.
The 11-nation grouping also pushed for strict compliance with the ceasefire agreed on April 8 between the United States and Iran, stressing the need to prevent further escalation.
“We call for the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire… minimizing disruption to the flow of energy and essential goods, and mitigating its adverse impact on global economic stability,” the statement read.
ASEAN urged all parties to return to negotiations despite the breakdown in talks as of Sunday, warning that continued hostilities threaten both regional and global stability.
“We urge the United States… and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue negotiations that will lead to the permanent end of the conflict and lasting peace and stability in the region,” it said.
The bloc also called on all sides to “exercise utmost restraint, cease all hostilities, [and] avoid any acts that may aggravate the situation.”
ASEAN is a regional bloc working together on economic, political, and security issues. With a combined population of over 670 million and a roughly $3.6 trillion economy, it is among the world’s largest economic groupings.
The region is highly sensitive to disruptions in global energy supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz—located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman—is a critical chokepoint through which about 20% of the world’s oil and LNG passes.
A large share of that energy is bound for Asia. Estimates suggest nearly 90% of oil shipments through Hormuz head to Asian markets, with Southeast Asian economies heavily reliant on Middle Eastern crude and gas imports.
Any disruption to this route can quickly translate into higher fuel costs, rising food prices, and broader inflation pressures, particularly for energy-importing countries.
The ASEAN statement comes amid a rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East following a two-week ceasefire agreement announced on April 8 involving the United States and Iran, with mediation by Pakistan and indirect involvement of Israel.
While the deal included commitments to pause major attacks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe energy shipments, the truce has proven fragile.
News reports indicate that violations have already occurred on multiple fronts; fighting continues in areas such as Lebanon, where the ceasefire terms remain unclear; and peace negotiations have stalled as of Sunday, raising the risk of renewed escalation.
Analysts describe the situation as a “dangerous pause,” a temporary de-escalation rather than a durable peace.
Against this backdrop, ASEAN underscored the need for diplomacy and adherence to international law.
“We underscore the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity… and promoting earnest dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means of addressing conflicts,” the ministers said.
The bloc also reiterated that all states must “resolve their differences through peaceful means,” protect civilians, and respect sovereignty — principles it warned are critical to preventing a wider global crisis.