Iran warns South Korea against involvement in Hormuz

Iran's foreign ministry warned South Korea on Monday against military deployment or involvement in US operations in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such a move would have "serious consequences." The warning came days after Seoul said it was weighing contributions to US security efforts in the strategic waterway, which Tehran has largely controlled since war with the United States broke out on February 28.

Why did Iran warn South Korea over the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said any military deployment or participation by other countries in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz would count as direct support for the US. He made the warning in a post on X, cautioning South Korea against succumbing to what he called "US pressure and intimidation."

South Korea had said on Friday it was considering "contributions" to US security operations in the strait, provided the move did not compromise its own military readiness. Seoul added that no final decision had been made on the matter.

Does Iran control the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran and the United States have continued to trade fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, even after an April ceasefire ended the initial intense bombardment campaign. Negotiations between the two sides have stalled as they compete for control over the waterway, which normally carries around a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Iran now requires vessels to seek permission before transiting the strait, a restriction opposed by Washington and several regional countries.

How has the war affected traffic through Hormuz?

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been virtually paralyzed since the war erupted, disrupting global energy markets. Iran insists there will be no return to the pre-war system of unrestricted navigation. The dispute over access to the strait remains one of the central flashpoints in the broader Iran-US conflict.