Iranian state media reported that Iran has taken "physical action" against a South Korean vessel.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Iran's Press TV stated on May 6 that targeting a South Korean ship for violating newly defined maritime rules signals Iran's commitment to defending its sovereignty. While the specific name of the vessel was not mentioned, it is believed to refer to the HMM Namoo.
The column also claimed that the U.S. halted its "Project Freedom" not out of goodwill, but due to Iran's asymmetric military deterrence and calculated responses. This contradicts the Iranian government's assertion that it was not involved in the explosion and fire on the HMM Namoo in the Gulf region.
In a statement on May 6, the Iranian embassy in South Korea firmly denied any military involvement in the incident involving the South Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
While the column did not specify the military as the actor behind the alleged physical action, it contrasts with the embassy's claims of non-involvement. The embassy warned that ignoring operational realities in a tense military environment could lead to unintended incidents, placing responsibility on those who disregard such considerations while navigating the area.
Although the Iranian military did not initiate an attack on the "innocent" HMM Namoo, it suggested that the vessel may have disregarded Iran's navigation rules, implying a potential justification for a physical response.
Press TV operates as a state-run English-language outlet aimed at conveying the Iranian government's perspective to the West.
The column also justified Iran's recent attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stating that a serious ultimatum delivered to the UAE shattered any illusions that war would be confined to international waters. It noted that redefining the Strait of Hormuz to include UAE territorial waters, particularly the Port of Fujairah, was a strategic move.
The column warned that this shift would come as an unexpected shock to the U.S. and its allies, as Fujairah, located outside the Strait, had long been considered a safe rear base, a role that has now fundamentally changed.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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