Iran firmly rejects any role in South Korean ship explosion in Hormuz Strait

Iran’s embassy in Seoul has firmly rejected reports of involvement in an explosion that targeted a South Korean-linked Panama-flagged cargo ship — HMM Maru — in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.

The blast and fire occurred on Monday while the ship was carrying a crew of 24 people.

In a statement on Thursday, the embassy said Tehran strongly rejects any claims regarding the involvement of the Iranian Armed Forces in the incident that damaged a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Since the beginning of the acts of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran (late February), the Islamic Republic has repeatedly emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an integral part of its defensive geography in the face of aggressors and their supporters,” it added.

According to the statement, the conditions governing navigation in the strategic waterway have changed due to the security situation and are different from those prevailing in the past as “this region is exposed to increasing tensions resulting from the actions of hostile forces and their allies.”

"Accordingly, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz requires complying fully with applicable regulations, paying sufficient heed to the issued warnings, observing the designated routes, and coordinating with the competent authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran," it emphasized.

Defense official: US must recognize Iran’s rights, break with Israel to escape ‘quagmire’

Iran’s Defense Ministry says recognition of the Iranian nation’s rights by the US and Israel will be a prelude to the end of the war against the Islamic Republic.

Under these circumstances, the embassy warned, any disregard for the declared requirements and operational realities in an atmosphere affected by military and security tensions may lead to “unintended incidents.”

"Responsibility for such consequences rests with those parties that proceed with transit or activities in the region without due regard to these considerations,” it said.

The embassy reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s constant commitment to ensuring maritime safety and security in the region in accordance with international rules and regulations, emphasizing that Tehran will remain committed in this regard.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had "taken some shots" at the South Korean vessel and urged Seoul to join his so-called Project Freedom, a much-hyped plan supposedly aimed at forcibly reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Following Trump's remarks, South Korea said it would "review its position" on joining US operations to escort ships in the strategic waterway.

On Wednesday and amid the Islamic Republic's continued resilience, Trump said he was "pausing" the project.

South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said later that the suspension of the project had made the country’s joining the program unnecessary.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of aerial aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases and interests in regional countries.

In a move sending shockwaves throughout the global energy markets, the Islamic Republic shut the Strait of Hormuz to enemies and their allies and then deployed far stricter controls over the waterway after Washington sustained an illegal naval blockade it had imposed on the country.

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