South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed the situation in the Middle East and the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call on Friday.
Cho expressed deep concern over the situation of conflict in the region and insisted on the return of lasting peace and stability to the region, South Korea’s foreign ministry said. He also reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to free and safe navigation for all ships and its cooperation in international measures to boost maritime security.
According to Seoul, the two ministers agreed to maintain communication channels and A. A. Araghchi explained Iran’s stance on the latest developments in the region.
South Korea has offered to send an inspection team to the Middle East to evaluate its possibility of sending troops to help ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, after being requested to do so by Iran. Seoul’s presidential office has stated it is considering military action but has yet to make a decision.
The matter is even more sensitive in view of Iran’s warning that any South Korean military presence or involvement in the operations in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz would be considered as support of the US “aggression” and may have grave repercussions.
The talks also coincide with a significant drop in shipping traffic through the Strait. Just seven ships went through the waterway on September 10, well below the pre-war average of roughly 125 per day, Reuters reported.
The Strait is crucial for South Korea’s energy security as well as its economy, which relies heavily on energy imports.
