South Korea holds interagency meeting on Hormuz security Amid de facto closure by Iran

On March 18, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry held an interagency meeting to assess the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and discuss measures to ensure the safety of South Korean vessels and crews in the Middle East region.

The discussion involved representatives from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of National Defence, the Coast Guard, and diplomatic missions in the Middle East, Caliber.Az reports, citing South Korean media.

Officials reviewed the current situation and contingency support measures, including potential evacuation plans, emphasising their readiness to monitor crew safety and health and adjust strategies if the situation deteriorates.

Since the outbreak of the 2026 Iran war at the end of February, following joint US–Israel military strikes on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively restricted by Iranian forces. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued broadcasts warning that the passage would be closed to US and allied vessels, and a series of attacks on merchant vessels has prompted most commercial traffic to avoid the strait.

Despite the instability, some vessels, including oil tankers, are still transiting, with certain states negotiating approval or taking routes closer to Iranian coasts.

The US military has carried out strikes on Iranian missile sites near the strait to neutralise threats to shipping, and American forces have signalled readiness to escort commercial tankers through the corridor.

France and other NATO allies have discussed plans to support safe navigation once hostilities ease, while European leaders emphasise diplomacy to maintain free shipping.

China and other global actors have expressed concern over the regional escalation and its effect on international trade.

By Khagan Isayev