MANILA, Philippines (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that Iran’s demand to control and collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz would threaten the world’s economy and the principle of freedom of navigation, even in Asia.

Rubio spoke at the start of an annual meeting in the Philippine capital, Manila, with counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations who have expressed alarm over the resurgent war in the Middle East that has battered their region. Despite Washington’s preoccupation with the war in the Middle East, Rubio reassured “we’re with ASEAN 100%.”