US Secretary of State: Asian Allies Contributing Naval Assets to Strait of Hormuz 'In Their Interest'

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on the 22nd (local time) that it would be "in their interest" for Asian allies to dispatch naval assets, such as warships, to the Strait of Hormuz to contribute to the safe passage of commercial vessels.

The State Department reported that Secretary Rubio made the remarks while meeting with reporters in Manila, Philippines, where he is visiting to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

When asked whether the United States has asked Asian allies, including South Korea, to contribute naval assets or anything else, Secretary Rubio replied, "We didn't make that request today," adding, "I think it's also in their interest."

"They rely heavily on the oil and natural gas supplied (from the Middle East)," he continued.

Earlier in the day, Secretary Rubio held a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

"This strait remains a vital energy source for many countries in this region (Asia)," Secretary Rubio emphasized. "Therefore, we think it would be in their interest to join in this effort."

Secretary Rubio's remarks are interpreted as meaning that while he did not explicitly ask South Korea and other Indo-Pacific allies to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz during the trilateral meeting and other sessions that day, the U.S. ultimately expects military support from its allies.

Secretary Rubio explained, "We didn't make a direct request today, but we have had those conversations with them in the past. Different countries have different constraints they have to go through to get approval."

"Some countries need approval from their legislature, while others can do it independently (through the executive branch)," he explained.

At the same time, he added, "But we have certainly raised this issue with various countries. We don't think it's necessary for them to do so, but we think it would be beneficial if they did."

Secretary Rubio emphasized, "Some of these countries possess special capabilities in mine-sweeping or similar areas. Therefore, it would be wonderful if they joined in this effort, and I expect some countries eventually will."

Recently, some media outlets reported that the United States had requested South Korea to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, the presidential office stated that no new specific requests for contributions, such as dispatching warships, have been raised by the United States.

Secretary Rubio also stated, "We didn't reach any agreement on that issue today. Frankly, that wasn't the main focus of our conversation."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.