South Korean Cargo Ship Hit by Two Unidentified Aircraft in Strait of Hormuz

According to AFP on Sunday (10/5/2026), United States President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had “shot” the Panama-flagged vessel. He also urged South Korea to join the US operation aimed at restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “…two unidentified aircraft hit the outer plate of the left-side ballast tank at the stern of the HMM Namu at intervals of about one minute, causing fire and smoke,” said South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il during a press conference. He did not specify the type of aircraft involved. Park only said that the aircraft were “captured on CCTV footage, but there are limitations in identifying the exact type, launch origin, and physical size of the objects.” Tehran denied responsibility for the attack. The Iranian embassy in South Korea posted a statement on its website stating that they “firmly reject and categorically deny any allegations regarding involvement” of its forces. The Iranian Ambassador to South Korea was summoned to the South Korean Foreign Ministry to explain Tehran’s position regarding the findings.