Tehran warns Seoul against joining US security operations in the Strait of Hormuz, saying any military involvement would amount to direct support for Washington’s aggression
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iran on Monday warned South Korea against deploying military forces or participating in US operations in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such involvement would have “serious consequences” as tensions continue over control of the vital waterway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused Seoul of coming under US pressure after South Korea said it was considering contributing to US-led security efforts in the strategic strait.
“Any military deployment or participation in operations by other countries in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz can only be regarded as direct support for the party responsible for that aggression and will have serious consequences,” Baqaei said in a post on X.
His warning came three days after Seoul said it was considering possible “contributions” to US security efforts around the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea said any decision would depend on ensuring that its own military readiness was not compromised, while emphasizing that no final decision had been made.
Iran Warns Against Foreign Military Involvement
Baqaei urged South Korea not to succumb to what he described as US “pressure and intimidation,” signaling Tehran’s opposition to any additional foreign military presence in and around the waterway.
Iran and the United States have continued exchanging fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz despite an April ceasefire that ended the initial phase of intense bombardment between the two countries.
Negotiations between Tehran and Washington have also stalled as both sides continue to compete for control of the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, normally carrying around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Since the outbreak of the war on February 28, commercial traffic through the strait has been virtually paralyzed, contributing to major disruptions in global energy markets.
Tehran Tightens Control Over Hormuz
Iran has required vessels seeking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to obtain permission from its authorities, rejecting a return to the pre-war system of unrestricted navigation.
The policy has been opposed by Washington and several regional countries, which have called for freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.
South Korea’s consideration of a role in US security efforts could therefore mark a significant expansion of international military involvement around Hormuz, where the United States and Iran remain locked in a broader confrontation.
For Seoul, any deployment would also carry economic implications, given South Korea’s heavy reliance on energy imports transported through the region.
For Tehran, meanwhile, the prospect of additional foreign naval forces operating in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz represents a direct challenge to its efforts to maintain control over the waterway amid the ongoing conflict with Washington.