South Korea announced on Tuesday it would “review its position” on joining US-led operations in the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran, according to Arab News.
The announcement came after the US President Donald Trump urged Seoul to play a role following an apparent Iranian attack on one of its vessels.
On Monday, a South Korean cargo ship was hit by an explosion and subsequent fire in the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained effectively closed since the outbreak of the conflict.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has been responding with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi as a retaliatory move, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict has spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead, triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The adversaries remain locked in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran tightens its control over maritime traffic while the United States continues to enforce a blockade on Iranian ports.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that all 24 crew members aboard the damaged HMM Namu, including six nationals, were unharmed.
Commenting on the incident, Trump said that this attack should push Seoul to join American operations to secure a safe passage for stranded vessels through the strait.
In response, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that it would “carefully review our position,” but did not commit to any change.
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