ASEAN Diplomats Convene Amid U.S.-Iran Conflict and South China Sea Tensions

ASEAN's foreign ministers gathered in Jakarta to discuss the impact of the U.S.-Iran conflict on regional stability. The meeting followed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which disrupted oil shipments and caused energy prices to spike. Tensions in the South China Sea were also a key topic, with ASEAN and China still negotiating a code of conduct to prevent disputes from escalating after nearly a decade of stalled talks. Southeast Asian countries expressed serious concern over the Iran war and its effects on energy security. Al-Jazeera reported that oil supply shortages were causing economic strain across the region. The Hindu noted that the South China Sea issue remained unresolved, with ASEAN and China continuing to work on a framework to manage territorial disputes. The sources agree on the meeting's focus but differ on the immediate consequences. Al-Jazeera emphasized the energy crisis, while The Hindu highlighted the ongoing diplomatic efforts in the South China Sea.