South Korea faces growing dilemma over Hormuz deployment as Iran warns it would mean joining the war

South Korea’s debate over sending forces to the Strait of Hormuz has become more difficult after Iran warned that even a noncombat deployment could be treated as participation in the war.

A senior Iranian political and security official told the pro-Iranian Hezbollah-affiliated outlet Al Mayadeen on the 4th that Tehran would consider any South Korean action against Iran “direct military aggression and participation in the war.” The official said South Korea should not yield to U.S. pressure to cooperate with what he called America’s illegal military operation.

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If South Korea takes action against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, we will regard it as direct military aggression and participation in the war.

He also warned that Iran would not tolerate any complicity in crimes against Iranians and their rights. The statement amounted to a warning that South Korean troops and military assets sent to the Strait of Hormuz could become Iranian attack targets.

The warning came as military clashes between the United States and Iran again intensified. At the same time, the Trump administration said it was waiting for South Korean support and continued pressing Seoul to decide quickly on a deployment. The competing demands have placed the South Korean government between Washington’s request for assistance and Tehran’s threat of retaliation.

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South Korea should not respond to U.S. pressure to force it to cooperate with America’s illegal military operation.