Iran raises Hormuz stakes in talks with South Korea

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun discussed the latest regional developments, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, during a telephone call on Friday, September 11, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said.

The conversation came as Tehran has warned Seoul of serious consequences if South Korea establishes a military presence or participates in U.S.-led operations in the Persian Gulf or Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has said that any South Korean military involvement in the region would be viewed as “direct support for the aggressor.”

South Korea is currently reviewing possible options for contributing to efforts to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategically important waterway, but no decision on a military deployment has been made. Seoul recently sent a government team to the United Arab Emirates to assess the security and operational situation around the Strait of Hormuz; the team returned to South Korea on Thursday, September 10.

By Tamilla Hasanova