Hegseth Reaffirms US Indo-Pacific Commitment as Iran War Raises Regional Security Concerns

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sought to reassure Southeast Asian countries of Washington's commitment to the Indo-Pacific, proposing a new framework for defence cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). His visit to Cebu in the Philippines comes as the war involving Iran places pressure on American military resources and raises questions about the United States' ability to sustain its regional security commitments.

Speaking at the ASEAN defence meetings on Wednesday, October 28, Hegseth said Washington would continue to defend its interests and those of its allies and partners. He also called for stronger maritime cooperation, improved coordination among naval forces and greater information-sharing to address regional security challenges.

The visit comes at a sensitive time for Southeast Asian governments, which are monitoring tensions with China while assessing how the conflict in the Middle East could affect American military readiness and regional engagement.

Hegseth Proposes New US-ASEAN Defence Framework

Hegseth proposed developing a US-ASEAN Framework for Defence Cooperation to guide relations over the coming years. He described the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen practical collaboration during a period of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

The proposed framework is intended to provide direction for cooperation between Washington and ASEAN countries. However, Hegseth did not provide detailed information about its structure, implementation or specific commitments.

He also emphasised the importance of maritime domain awareness, which involves monitoring activity in coastal waters and surrounding seas, as well as improving interoperability among partner countries' armed forces.

Hegseth said practical cooperation, including joint training, planning and coordination, could help strengthen deterrence and reduce the risk of conflict. His remarks were aimed at demonstrating that Washington's regional engagement would continue despite the demands of the Iran war.

Iran Conflict Raises Questions About US Military Readiness

Before Hegseth's arrival, analysts had expected Southeast Asian officials to seek clarification about Washington's objectives in Iran and the potential consequences for its Indo-Pacific commitments.

The conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has disrupted shipping and oil markets, highlighting Southeast Asia's exposure to energy-supply shocks. Countries that depend on imported fuel are particularly vulnerable to prolonged disruptions and rising prices.

The war has also raised concerns about the demands placed on American military capabilities. Regional governments want to understand whether Washington can continue supporting its partners in Asia while committing significant resources to operations in the Middle East.

Collin Koh, a security researcher at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said Southeast Asian countries would seek greater certainty about US alliances and partnerships.

Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, similarly noted that regional governments would want reassurance about Washington's commitment despite the strain on its military readiness.

South China Sea Disputes Remain a Major Security Concern

The meetings are particularly important for the Philippines, a US treaty ally whose relationship with China has deteriorated amid repeated confrontations in the disputed South China Sea.

China claims much of the strategic waterway, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and other regional countries claim parts of it. The area is vital to global trade, and disputes over maritime rights have repeatedly raised tensions between Beijing and its neighbours.

Days before the Cebu meetings, the Philippine military said it had monitored and followed China's Liaoning aircraft carrier group as it travelled through waters off the southern Philippines towards the Celebes Sea.

China's defence attaché in the Philippines was also expected to attend the gathering, according to Chinese defence authorities. The presence of representatives from countries with competing interests highlights ASEAN's challenge in maintaining dialogue while addressing regional security concerns.

US, Japan, Australia and Philippines Strengthen Defence Coordination

Hegseth's visit also coincides with meetings among defence chiefs from the United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines. The four countries participate in an informal grouping known as the Squad, which has sought to strengthen coordination on regional security.

Their discussions are expected to focus on maritime security, cooperation among armed forces and efforts to improve deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

The Philippines views cooperation with Washington and other partners as important to its response to tensions with China. The US-Philippines mutual defence treaty remains a central element of their security relationship.

Japan and Australia have also expanded defence engagement with regional partners, including through military exercises, information-sharing and closer coordination on maritime issues.

However, closer cooperation among these countries does not mean that all ASEAN members will adopt the same position on China. Differences in national interests and diplomatic relationships continue to limit the bloc's ability to reach a unified strategic approach.

ASEAN Balances Security Cooperation With Diplomatic Differences

The ASEAN defence meetings bring together Southeast Asian countries and external partners, including the United States, China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand and Russia.

The forum aims to encourage dialogue and cooperation on issues such as maritime security, counter-terrorism and regional stability. Yet the member states have different security priorities and economic relationships, making agreement on contentious geopolitical issues difficult.

The Philippines, which chairs ASEAN in 2026, faces the additional challenge of leading regional discussions while managing its own disputes with Beijing. Manila is seeking progress on energy connectivity, digital development and coast guard cooperation, even as tensions in the South China Sea persist.

Analysts expect the bloc's formal statements to be more cautious than discussions held privately. Practical cooperation may advance, but a shared strategic position on the South China Sea remains difficult to achieve.

Hegseth's proposal for a new defence framework signals Washington's intention to maintain and expand its regional partnerships. Whether the initiative produces concrete new commitments will depend on the details developed by the participating countries and their willingness to cooperate amid competing security and economic priorities.