Iran's embassy in Seoul has formally denied any responsibility for an explosion and fire that struck a South Korean-operated cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, pushing back against claims made by US President Donald Trump.
The blast and fire occurred on the Panama-flagged HMM Namu, a cargo ship carrying 24 crew members, on Monday. The incident triggered an immediate dispute over its cause, with Washington and Tehran offering sharply conflicting accounts.
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In a post on social media, Trump said Iran fired shots at the Korean-operated ship and other targets as the US launched its operation to open the strait. The allegation drew a swift and emphatic denial from Tehran.
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In a statement released through its embassy in Seoul, Iran said it "firmly rejects and categorically denies any allegations regarding the involvement of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the incident involving damage to a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz".
The statement also carried an implicit warning to international shippers. Tehran stressed that "in order to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, it is necessary to coordinate with Iranian authorities, follow designated routes, and fully comply with relevant regulations, including heeding warnings from the Iranian side".
The Iranian embassy further noted that since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February, Tehran "has repeatedly emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an integral part of its defensive geography".
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HMM's labour union and South Korean officials also pushed back on Trump's version of events, with union leader Jeon Jeong-geun saying, "What Trump said is far from the truth." He added that the vessel had been anchored, not navigating independently, when the explosion occurred, The Korea Times reported.
The damaged vessel is being towed to Dubai, where a joint investigation team is expected to be dispatched for a full inspection. The cause of the explosion remains officially undetermined.
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Seoul has so far remained cautious, with President Lee Jae Myung declining to comment publicly after being briefed by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
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