rki.news
South Korea and Iran held high-level talks on Sunday focusing on regional tensions and the safety of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz following a recent attack on a South Korean-operated vessel.
According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss bilateral relations, Middle East developments, and maritime security.
During the conversation, Cho referred to the ongoing investigation into the attack on the vessel HMM NAMU, which was struck by two unidentified aerial objects in the Strait of Hormuz on May 4. He requested Iran’s position regarding the incident and emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and the safety of all vessels operating in the strategic waterway.
South Korean authorities earlier confirmed that the Panamanian-flagged ship suffered damage to its stern, while all 24 crew members remained unharmed.
Araghchi outlined Tehran’s position on the current regional situation and stressed the need to restore safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz. He also called for efforts to ease tensions and resolve the ongoing standoff in the region.
Both ministers agreed to remain in close contact regarding the safety of South Korean ships and crew members.