ASEAN
• 17 hours ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Rubio Heads to Southeast Asia for ASEAN, Quad Meetings as Iran Tensions Persist
PHNOM PENH, July 20, 2026 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is travelling to Southeast Asia this week for a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, including the ASEAN Summit, Quad talks, and bilateral meetings with regional leaders.
Speaking to reporters before his departure, Rubio confirmed that the ASEAN Summit remains Washington's primary channel for engaging the region. His itinerary includes the Quad meeting with India, Australia, and Japan, a trilateral session with South Korea and Japan, and potential meetings with the Vietnamese foreign minister and other counterparts. He also noted that he has not yet visited the Philippines as Secretary of State and expressed interest in doing so.
Rubio said he was open to meeting with the Chinese foreign minister during the trip, though he declined to preview specific discussions.
On the Middle East, Rubio addressed the ongoing U.S. strikes against Iranian assets in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Washington is targeting sites used to launch attacks on commercial shipping. He stressed that while the U.S. remains open to diplomacy, Iran's actions must change. He noted an internal split within Iran between those seeking economic relief and more militant factions.
Rubio also discussed the situation in Venezuela, announcing that the U.S. has provided over $180 million in earthquake relief and that reconciliation talks between the interim government and opposition representatives are scheduled to begin in early August.
On the World Cup, Rubio congratulated Spain and praised the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for their successful hosting of the tournament.
— Source: U.S. Department of State,
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
Speaking to reporters before his departure, Rubio confirmed that the ASEAN Summit remains Washington's primary channel for engaging the region. His itinerary includes the Quad meeting with India, Australia, and Japan, a trilateral session with South Korea and Japan, and potential meetings with the Vietnamese foreign minister and other counterparts. He also noted that he has not yet visited the Philippines as Secretary of State and expressed interest in doing so.
Rubio said he was open to meeting with the Chinese foreign minister during the trip, though he declined to preview specific discussions.
On the Middle East, Rubio addressed the ongoing U.S. strikes against Iranian assets in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Washington is targeting sites used to launch attacks on commercial shipping. He stressed that while the U.S. remains open to diplomacy, Iran's actions must change. He noted an internal split within Iran between those seeking economic relief and more militant factions.
Rubio also discussed the situation in Venezuela, announcing that the U.S. has provided over $180 million in earthquake relief and that reconciliation talks between the interim government and opposition representatives are scheduled to begin in early August.
On the World Cup, Rubio congratulated Spain and praised the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for their successful hosting of the tournament.
— Source: U.S. Department of State,
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
