South Korea's Turn to Consult Iran to Ensure Safe Passage of Its Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz

South Korea is conducting intensive discussions with various countries, including Iran, to ensure the swift normalisation of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. This statement follows Tehran’s expression of readiness to allow Japanese ships to pass through the sea route, which has been 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 transportation routes,” said an official from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by Yonhap on Saturday (21/3/2026).

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

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated his previous statement that the Strait of Hormuz is open, provided those countries coordinate with Tehran.

“We have not closed this strait. In our opinion, this strait is open. This strait is only closed to ships belonging to our enemies, countries that attack us. For other countries, ships can pass through this strait,” he said in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, as reported by Al Jazeera.

“We are ready to give them a safe passage if there is contact… What they need to do is just contact us to discuss how this route will proceed,” said Araghchi, according to the interview transcript shared on his Telegram account.

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

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

On Friday (20/3), Seoul stated 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 have escalated following US and Israeli airstrikes, which prompted Iran to effectively blockade the strait and raise concerns about a global energy crisis.