1 hr ago
South Korea Keeps Hormuz Military Deployment Decision Open
South Korea and Iran talked about the dangerous situation in the Middle East.
South Korea said it has not decided whether to send military equipment or personnel near the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is an important waterway where ships need to travel safely.
South Korea said all ships should be able to pass freely.
Iran has warned that foreign military involvement in the area could have serious consequences.
South Korea sent a team to the United Arab Emirates to study the security situation.
The team’s visit does not automatically mean troops will be sent.
South Korea’s parliament would have to approve any overseas military deployment.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told Iran that South Korea has made no decision on deploying military assets to the Strait of Hormuz.
Cho reaffirmed Seoul’s support for the free and safe passage of all vessels through the strategic waterway.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi explained Iran’s opposition-related position on the Middle East situation and agreed to maintain communication.
South Korea’s military is reviewing possible assets, including maritime patrol aircraft, explosive ordnance disposal teams and unmanned mine-detection systems.
A South Korean fact-finding team visited the United Arab Emirates, while any overseas troop deployment would require parliamentary approval.
- Who
- South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.
- What
- They discussed the Middle East situation and South Korea’s possible role in securing the Strait of Hormuz; Seoul said no deployment decision has been made.
- Where
- The discussion concerned the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the wider Middle East; South Korea also sent an assessment team to the United Arab Emirates.
- When
- Friday; the call was the sixth known conversation between the ministers since the US-Iran conflict began in late February.
- Why
- To exchange views on regional developments, discuss freedom of navigation and address the safety of South Korean nationals in the region.
South Korea’s Position
Iran’s Position
Foreign military role
South Korea’s Position
South Korea says no decision has been made, but it is reviewing options for contributing to efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Position
Iran strongly opposes foreign military involvement and has warned that military participation by other countries could have serious consequences.
Navigation and security
South Korea’s Position
Seoul says the free and safe passage of all vessels must be guaranteed and supports international efforts to restore freedom of navigation.
Iran’s Position
Iran has presented its own position on the Middle East situation and rejects the prospect of foreign military operations in the area.
Fact-finding mission
South Korea’s Position
South Korea says the team sent to the United Arab Emirates was for assessment and does not presuppose a troop-deployment decision.
Iran’s Position
Iran’s stated opposition indicates concern about any increased foreign military presence near the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
Key facts
- Deployment status
- South Korea says no decision has been made on a possible deployment of military assets.
- Possible assets
- Maritime patrol aircraft, explosive ordnance disposal teams and unmanned systems for detecting and clearing naval mines are reportedly under review.
- Assessment mission
- South Korea sent a fact-finding team to the United Arab Emirates to assess security and operational conditions near the strait.
- Parliamentary approval
- South Korean law requires parliamentary approval for any overseas deployment of military forces.
- Iranian warning
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei warned that foreign military participation in the Persian Gulf or Strait of Hormuz could have serious consequences.
- Navigation policy
- Cho said South Korea supports guaranteeing the free and safe passage of all vessels and participating in international efforts to restore freedom of navigation.
- Next step
- The assessment team must report its findings to South Korea’s National Security Council after returning.
Quotes
A South Korean foreign ministry official
An official who described Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s message to his Iranian counterpart
“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”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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