Iran called on South Korea not to interfere in the processes in the Strait of Hormuz

**Iran Urges South Korea Not to Interfere in Hormuz Strait Processes**

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran has warned South Korea against joining US operations in the Strait of Hormuz and sending military personnel there. Tehran stated that such a step would lead to serious consequences.

Last week, Seoul indicated that it was considering contributing to US security efforts in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has kept this strait largely under its control since the outbreak of war against the US on February 28.

South Korea stated that it would consider this step only if it did not harm its own military readiness. However, no final decision has been made yet.

On September 7, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned South Korea not to yield to US "pressure and intimidation."

"The sending of military personnel or participation in operations by other countries in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz will be assessed as direct support for the aggressor side. This will lead to serious consequences," he wrote on his page on the social network X.

Although a truce was established in April and intense bombardments stopped, Iran and the US continue to strike each other in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Negotiations have reached a deadlock as both sides fight for control of the Strait of Hormuz. Normally, one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports passed through this waterway. Since the start of the war, traffic in this vital waterway has almost ground to a halt. This, in turn, has had a negative impact on global energy markets.

Currently, Iran demands that vessels passing through the strait request permission. Washington and several countries in the region oppose such a procedure. Iran, meanwhile, insists that there will be no return to the system of unrestricted shipping.