South Korea coordinates with Iran to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz

Seoul (ANTARA) - South Korea is conducting intensive talks with various countries, including Iran, to ensure the normalisation of the Strait of Hormuz, a South Korean Foreign Ministry official said on Saturday.

According to the official, this follows Tehran’s statement that it is prepared to allow Japanese-bound ships to pass through the sea route, which is practically closed due to the Middle East crisis.

“The government is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East while seeking ways to protect our citizens and secure energy transport routes,” the official said.

“We are actively communicating with relevant countries, including Iran,” the official added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously told Kyodo News that Tehran is ready to allow Japanese-bound ships to pass through the main oil shipping route after appropriate consultations with Tokyo.

The Strait of Hormuz accounts for more than 20 percent of the world’s oil trade routes.

All routes accessible to oil tankers are within Iran’s territorial waters, making the strait a vital passage for East Asian countries, including South Korea and Japan.

On Friday (20/3), Seoul said it would join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran’s attacks in the Gulf and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions escalated after US and Israeli airstrikes, which prompted Iran to effectively blockade the strait and raise concerns over a global energy crisis.

Source: Yonhap-OANA