Iran warns South Korea of ‘grave consequences’ over possible Strait of Hormuz deployment

Iran has warned South Korea that any military presence or participation in operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz would carry “grave consequences.” Tehran issued the warning after Seoul said it was studying a possible troop deployment in the region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagaei made the statement in Korean on X. He said another country’s military presence or involvement in operations in the gulf and the strait would amount to direct support for the side responsible for the aggression.

Bagaei also urged states to resist pressure from the United States. “No state that respects its sovereignty and responsibility should give in to US pressure and threats or participate as an accomplice in acts of aggression and the terrible crimes committed against the great Iranian people,” he said.

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The presence or participation of another country in military operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz can only be considered direct support for the party responsible for the aggression, and will have grave consequences.

South Korea said on Friday that it was considering sending troops to the Strait of Hormuz as long as the move did not compromise its defense capabilities. A presidential official, speaking anonymously to local news agencies, said Seoul could make a military contribution to efforts to secure free navigation through the strategic passage. The official stressed that the decision remained under consideration.

The discussion comes amid pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has publicly criticized South Korean authorities for not joining his policy of Iran “denuclearization.” The United States and Iran have exchanged attacks over the past week, with US strikes on Iranian territory and vessels followed by Iranian attacks on US targets and ships in the Middle East.

Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz after the war began on Feb. 28, making the waterway its main pressure point in the conflict. It has demanded permission from vessels seeking to pass and attacked ships attempting to bypass the blockade. The United States has imposed a cordon around Iranian ports and vessels, while experts in oil and the Middle East say some maritime traffic has resumed along a southern route near Oman.

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No state that respects its sovereignty and responsibility should give in to US pressure and threats or participate as an accomplice in acts of aggression and the terrible crimes committed against the great Iranian people.