Staff Correspondent, Dhaka:
Iran has warned South Korea of “serious consequences” if Seoul participates in military operations in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz, adding a new diplomatic dimension to growing tensions over navigation through the strategic waterway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Monday that Tehran values its more than six decades of relations with South Korea and wants to maintain friendly ties. However, he warned that any South Korean military presence in the Gulf or Hormuz could be viewed by Iran as direct support for its adversaries.
The warning comes as Seoul considers whether to contribute militarily to international efforts aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it was maintaining close communication with relevant countries and the international community to support regional stability and ensure the safe passage of vessels, including South Korean ships.
South Korean officials have stressed that no final decision has been made. A presidential official said Friday that Seoul was reviewing possible military participation, provided such a move would not undermine the country’s defense readiness.
Reports have suggested that a potential deployment could involve P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal team and a logistics support vessel. Any such deployment would require approval through South Korea’s domestic decision-making process, including the National Security Council, Cabinet and National Assembly.
The issue puts Seoul in a difficult strategic position. South Korea is a close US ally and hosts a large US military presence, while Iran remains an important regional actor with which Seoul has maintained diplomatic relations.
For South Korea, securing uninterrupted navigation through Hormuz is particularly significant because the waterway is vital to global energy and trade flows. Yet direct military involvement could increase diplomatic and security risks for Seoul, particularly if Tehran interprets the deployment as alignment with US military objectives.
The developing situation therefore leaves South Korea balancing its alliance commitments, commercial interests and relations with Iran, while the wider Middle East remains highly volatile.
