South Korea and Iran have held discussions on the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing international concern over the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Friday at Tehran’s request, with the two officials discussing recent developments in the region and the strategic waterway, South Korea’s foreign ministry said.
The call came days after Seoul confirmed that it was considering a possible “contribution” to security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged South Korea to assist with efforts to secure the vital shipping route, claiming that Seoul had rejected his request for support.
Iran, however, warned earlier this week that any South Korean military involvement in the conflict would have “serious consequences.”
South Korea has sent a fact-finding team to assess the situation around the strait but has yet to decide whether to deploy military personnel to the area.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, normally handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Traffic through the waterway has been severely disrupted since the US-Iran conflict began on February 28, putting further pressure on global energy markets.
Diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States have also stalled as tensions continue over control and security in the strategic waterway.
Comments