Iran Opposes South Korean Involvement Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Iran’s foreign ministry warned South Korea on Monday against any military deployment or involvement in US operations in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a move would carry serious consequences.
The warning follows an announcement from Seoul on Friday that it was considering possible contributions to US security efforts in the strategic waterway, which Tehran has largely controlled since the outbreak of war with the United States on February 28. South Korea said any such move would depend on ensuring its own military readiness remained intact, adding that no final decision had been made.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei cautioned South Korea against yielding to what he described as pressure and intimidation from Washington. “Any military deployment or participation in operations by other countries in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz can only be regarded as direct support for the party responsible for that aggression and will have serious consequences,” he wrote in a post on X.
Iran and the United States have continued exchanging fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, even after an April ceasefire brought the initial period of intense bombardment to a close. Negotiations between the two sides have since stalled, with both countries continuing to vie for control over the waterway, which normally carries roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Since the conflict began, traffic through the strait has been largely paralyzed, significantly disrupting global energy markets.
Iran has required vessels to seek permission before transiting the strait — a policy that Washington and several regional countries have strongly opposed. Tehran has insisted there will be no return to the pre-war system of unrestricted navigation through the waterway.
Also Read:
How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Nature Conservation in Saudi Arabia
Hope Turns to Joy as Two Tunnel Workers Are Rescued in Nepal
