ASEAN Diplomacy in Manila: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ASEAN foreign ministers Washington “will never abandon” the bloc, while also warning that Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent for freedom of navigation. South China Sea Code of Conduct: Malaysia’s foreign minister said ASEAN expects to finalise the South China Sea Code of Conduct at the November summit, with key paragraphs still needing agreement. US-Iran Escalation: Rubio’s remarks came as US Central Command said it struck Iranian targets for an 11th straight night to reduce threats to commercial shipping. ASEAN Education: Ministers launched the ASEAN Five-Year Work Plan on Education 2026-2030, prioritising AI in education, STEM and student well-being. Korea Security & Drugs: South Korea, US and Japan reaffirmed denuclearisation and deterrence against North Korea, while customs reported a record 1,007kg of narcotics seized in H1. Japan Heat & Mobility: Japan issued extreme heat alerts after a second consecutive “cruelly hot day” over 40C, as it also unveiled new tourism and transport initiatives. China Tech & Space: China launched nine satellites in a Gravity-1 sea-based mission off Shanghai, and held a major pharma innovation conference in Shanghai.