Politics

South Korea, Iran Discuss Strait of Hormuz Security

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Iran have discussed the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call on Friday, days after Seoul confirmed it was considering a “contribution” to the security of the vital waterway.

 

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressured South Korea to assist with securing the strait, saying Seoul had rejected his request for support amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.

 

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, at Tehran’s request to discuss the latest situation in the Middle East and developments around the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

 

The call came days after Tehran warned that any South Korean military contribution to the conflict would have “serious consequences”.

 

South Korea has sent a fact-finding team to assess the situation in the strait and has repeatedly said it has not decided whether to deploy its military to Hormuz.

 

Traffic through the vital shipping route has been virtually paralysed since the US-Iran war began on February 28, disrupting global energy markets.

 

Negotiations between Iran and the United States have also stalled as both sides vie for control over Hormuz, which normally carries around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports.

Olayinka Babatunde

Recent Posts

NSCDC Minna Deaths: Panel Recommends Dismissal, Prosecution of Officers, N1.4bn Compensation

An independent ministerial committee has recommended the dismissal and prosecution of Nigerian Security and Civil…

48 minutes ago

Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for $20.52bn, €1.045bn External Loans, N269.44bn Debt Settlement

President Bola Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to approve a supplementary external borrowing plan…

50 minutes ago

Fubara Declares Wike Leader After Reconciliation, Pledges Support for Tinubu in 2027

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has asked his supporters to stop referring to him as…

53 minutes ago

Presidency Seeks Private Sector Support for State Police as More States Endorse Bill

The Presidency has urged the organised private sector to support the funding and implementation of…

55 minutes ago

FG Approves N70,000 Monthly Transport Allowance for Workers for Six Months

The Federal Government has approved a monthly transport allowance of N70,000 for public servants for…

2 hours ago

PDP Tells APC to Stop Blaming Opposition for Hunger, Take Responsibility

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop…

21 hours ago