An Iranian official has warned South Korea that participating in U.S. military operations in the Strait of Hormuz would be considered an act of aggression against Iran.
In an interview with the Lebanese pro-Hezbollah media outlet Al-Mayadeen on September 4, the senior political and security official stated, "South Korea should not yield to U.S. pressure to cooperate in its illegal military operations."
The unnamed official noted, "The situation is worsening as the U.S. pressures South Korea to assist in its illegal military operations," adding, "I hope South Korea does not sacrifice its own interests and reputation due to U.S. aggressive policies." He further urged, "South Korea is aware that the instability in the Strait of Hormuz is caused by the attacks from the U.S. and Israel, and it should not ignore this fact."
He claimed, "As long as U.S. interventions that violate international law continue, restoring security in the region will be impossible." He emphasized that Iran will never tolerate any actions that conspire against the Iranian people and their rights.
This warning comes amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration for South Korea to expand its contributions in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump has demanded that key oil-importing countries, including South Korea and Japan, take direct action to ensure the safety of the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of military tensions with Iran. Last month, he publicly expressed dissatisfaction after South Korea rejected a request to support U.S. military operations against Iran.
Recently, the South Korean government has been cautiously reviewing plans to deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz. A Blue House official stated during a briefing on September 4 that South Korea has been discussing practical contributions to ensure the free passage in the Strait of Hormuz with relevant countries, suggesting that South Korea might act within limits that do not significantly harm its readiness for the Korean Peninsula.
The government is reportedly considering the deployment of maritime patrol aircraft and supply ships. However, any overseas deployment will require domestic legal procedures and parliamentary approval, indicating that further discussions on the actual deployment and its scale are expected.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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