South Korea tells Iran no decision yet on Hormuz deployment

South Korea's foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart on Friday that no decision had been made on a possible military deployment in the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul said. Tehran had warned South Korea against such a deployment after Seoul said it was weighing a "contribution" to the waterway's security.

Has South Korea decided on a Hormuz deployment?

South Korea has not decided on a Hormuz deployment. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that no decision had been made, while stressing the importance of restoring freedom of navigation through the strait. The call took place at Tehran's request.

Why did South Korea and Iran hold this call?

Cho spoke by phone with Araghchi to discuss the recent situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, the foreign ministry in Seoul said in a statement. A ministry official said Cho conveyed that no deployment decision had been made and underscored the need to restore freedom of navigation in the strait. The call followed a warning from Tehran earlier in the week that any South Korean military contribution to the conflict would have serious consequences.

Why is the US pressuring South Korea over Hormuz?

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured ally South Korea to help secure the waterway, which is crucial to global oil supplies. He has said Seoul rejected his request for assistance in the effort. South Korea has sent a fact-finding team to assess the situation in the strait.

How has the Strait of Hormuz been affected by the war?

Traffic through the strait has been virtually paralyzed since the US-Iran war began on February 28, disrupting global energy markets. Negotiations between Iran and the United States have stalled as both sides vie for control over the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries around a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports.