South Korean FM tells Iran no decision made on possible Hormuz deployment

During the talks, Cho expressed deep concern over the recent situation in the Middle East and voiced hope that sustainable peace and stability would be restored in the region, according to the ministry. On the Strait of Hormuz, Cho underscored Seoul's consistent position that the free and safe passage of all vessels must be guaranteed and reiterated South Korea's continued participation in international efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. "Cho conveyed our position that no decision has been made regarding a possible deployment and stressed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible," a ministry official said. "The ministers explained their respective positions on issues related to the situation in the Middle East," he added.

Cho also asked Iran to pay close attention to the safety of South Korean nationals in the region, according to the ministry. Araghchi explained Iran's position on the current situation in the Middle East, while the two ministers agreed to maintain communication on regional developments and bilateral issues, the ministry said. It marked the sixth known phone conversation between the two ministers since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February.

On Monday, Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, warned that any other country's military presence or participation in operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz "will have serious consequences." The Seoul government has stressed that no specific measures have yet been decided regarding its possible role in securing the strait, though local media have reported that the military is reviewing a range of assets for possible deployment. The defense ministry sent a fact-finding team to the United Arab Emirates earlier this week to assess the security and operational situation near the strait. The government has said the mission does not presuppose a decision to deploy troops, though sending an assessment team to a potential deployment site is part of due procedures required under the ministry's directives on overseas military deployment.