Iran’s embassy in Seoul on Thursday firmly rejected allegations that Tehran was involved in an explosion that damaged a South Korean-linked, Panama-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.
The blast and fire aboard the HMM Maru occurred on Monday while the vessel was carrying a crew of 24 people. In a statement, the embassy said Iran strongly denies any claims that its armed forces were involved in the incident.
“Since the beginning of the acts of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran (late February), the Islamic Republic has repeatedly emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an integral part of its defensive geography in the face of aggressors and their supporters,” the statement added.
According to the embassy, the security situation has fundamentally altered navigation conditions in the strategic waterway. “This region is exposed to increasing tensions resulting from the actions of hostile forces and their allies,” it said, warning that the rules now differ from those that prevailed in the past.
“Accordingly, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz requires complying fully with applicable regulations, paying sufficient heed to the issued warnings, observing the designated routes, and coordinating with the competent authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement emphasized.
Under these circumstances, the embassy cautioned that any disregard for the declared requirements and operational realities — amid military and security tensions — may lead to “unintended incidents.” It added: “Responsibility for such consequences rests with those parties that proceed with transit or activities in the region without due regard to these considerations.”
Tehran reaffirmed its constant commitment to ensuring maritime safety and security in accordance with international rules and regulations, vowing to remain committed in this regard.
The statement followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Iran had “taken some shots” at the South Korean vessel and urged Seoul to join his so-called Project Freedom — a plan purportedly aimed at forcibly reopening the Strait of Hormuz. After Trump’s comments, South Korea said it would “review its position” on joining US-led escort operations in the waterway.
On Wednesday, amid continued Iranian resilience, Trump announced he was “pausing” the project. South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac later said the suspension made the country’s participation unnecessary.
The US and ‘Israel’ launched a fresh round of aerial aggression against Iran on February 28, some eight months after earlier unprovoked attacks. Iran swiftly retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israeli-occupied territories as well as US bases and interests in regional countries. In a move that shook global energy markets, the Islamic Republic shut the Strait of Hormuz to enemies and their allies, later imposing stricter controls on the waterway after Washington sustained an illegal naval blockade against Tehran.
Source: Press TV edited buy Al-manar English website