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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ASEAN top diplomats say it's 'regrettable' Middle East conflict escalated despite Oman's mediation

ASEAN top diplomats say it's 'regrettable' Middle East conflict escalated despite Oman's mediation

Published Mar 4, 2026 11:35 am
Top diplomats of all Southeast Asian nations said Wednesday, March 4, it is "regrettable" that Israel and the United States attacked Iran, which eventually led to retaliatory attacks affecting other nations, despite ongoing mediation efforts by Oman.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), currently chaired by the Philippines, released its foreign ministers' statement in response to the ongoing tension in the Middle East.
The foreign ministers of ASEAN member states said they are following "closely the situation" in the region and "express serious concern over the escalation of conflict" that they said followed the attacks that were "initiated by Israel and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran" on Feb. 28.
They said the subsequent retaliation of Iran against Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates continues to heighten tensions in the Middle East and "pose a grave threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability."
"We call on all countries to respect international law, including the Charter of the United Nations (UN Charter)," they said.
"This escalation is particularly regrettable as it occurred amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives led by the Sultanate of Oman aimed at advancing a negotiated solution," they added.
The foreign ministers emphasized the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities and called on all parties concerned "to exercise utmost self-restraint, avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation, and resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the region."
They said states are obliged to resolve their differences through peaceful means and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, in line with international law, including the UN Charter.
"We further reiterate the obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures in armed conflicts consistent with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions," they said.
"We also re-emphasize the shared commitment to provide emergency assistance to ASEAN nationals, especially during this time," they added.

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