Tehran has threatened “critical penalties” for South Korea if it interferes within the US-Israel battle on Iran.
The warning comes amid experiences that Seoul is mulling contributing to the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz passage, which has hampered Iran’s oil exports.
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In a press release posted on X on Monday, Ministry of International Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated Iran and South Korea had greater than 64 years of diplomatic relations based mostly on mutual respect and that Tehran values that friendship.
Nevertheless, if South Korea joins the USA in its army actions towards Iran at a time when the nation is defending itself from what he known as US aggression and “battle crimes towards ladies and youngsters”, then there can be penalties, he warned.
Baghaei threatened that Iran would regard any army presence or participation in operations by one other nation within the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz “would inevitably be considered direct assist for the aggressor and would have critical penalties”.
“No sovereign and accountable nation ought to succumb to US strain and intimidation and change into complicit in acts of aggression and horrific crimes towards the good Iranian nation,” he added.
Seoul didn’t reply instantly, however a Ministry of International Affairs assertion on Monday stated it’s speaking with the worldwide neighborhood over the state of affairs within the passageway.
Right here’s what we learn about how South Korea is getting roped in:
Why is South Korea concerned?
Seoul, a detailed ally of Washington, has been underneath strain from US President Donald Trump.
The problems started in mid-August, when Trump revealed in an interview, and later on-line, that he had spoken to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and requested that Seoul give “a bit of hand” within the battle on Iran.
In accordance with media experiences, the 2 leaders had spoken over the telephone on Could 17.
Seoul stated, “No, thanks!”, based on Trump’s message on social media.
Nevertheless, as South Korea now is aware of, saying no to Trump has repercussions.
On August 16, Trump announced that the US would considerably cut back joint army drills it holds yearly with South Korea – the night earlier than they have been scheduled to start.
The Ulchi Freedom Defend (UFS) workouts are supposed to sharpen Seoul’s readiness in case of a North Korean assault. They often final for greater than 11 days however have been lowered to 5.
In a submit on his Fact Social website, Trump claimed the drills have been “expensive” and that they ship a “hostile” sign to North Korean chief Kim Jong Un, with whom he’s attempting to construct a relationship. South Korean International Minister Cho Hyun stated in parliament there was no warning from the US.
Trump additionally questioned why South Korea would refuse his request when hundreds of US troopers are stationed on the Korean Peninsula.
The US additionally cancelled one other army train scheduled for September, though South Korea’s army revealed it obtained a notification a lot earlier in June, with Washington citing constraints because of the battle on Iran.
How has South Korea responded?
President Lee, a liberal who pushes for a dialled-down defence posture, has opted to barter. His workplace earlier launched statements saying it hopes for “significant dialogue” with Trump.
South Korea’s Yonhap information company reported on Monday that Washington has, nonetheless, “ratcheted up strain” on Seoul.
On Friday, a South Korean presidential official informed Yonhap that Seoul may take into account a army contribution to worldwide measures looking for to release navigation within the passageway so long as it doesn’t have an effect on the nation’s defence readiness.
South Korea is taking a look at numerous choices, the official stated, together with attainable cooperation with France, the UK and different allies on sending noncombat and search-and-rescue forces.
The South Korean army has additionally began reviewing belongings and troops that could possibly be deployed, together with maritime patrol plane, explosive ordnance disposal groups and unmanned mine detection and clearing techniques, he added.
Such a transfer could be unpopular. The opposition has spoken out towards a attainable deployment, as have some inside Lee’s ruling Democratic Social gathering. Many South Koreans have additionally protested towards the US-Israel battle on Iran.
What’s the historical past of US-South Korea relations?
South Korea turned one of many US’s closest allies after Washington backed Seoul towards Pyongyang within the Korean Battle of 1950.
The US supported Seoul’s financial and army development within the years after. Below a treaty, some 29,000 US troopers have been stationed completely on the Korean Peninsula because the finish of the battle. Seoul has additionally relied on US defence would possibly to discourage nuclear-armed North Korea.
In return, South Korea supported a number of US wars, together with the Iraq Battle, and is designated an vital non-NATO ally.
In 2025, nonetheless, Washington imposed a 25 p.c tariff on the nation, testing relations. Seoul opted to barter quite than retaliate, main the US to decrease tariffs to fifteen p.c.
Many South Koreans have been additionally alarmed after a whole lot of South Koreans have been arrested in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on a Hyundai plant in Georgia in September 2025.
Final October, Trump travelled to Seoul in a historic state go to, and earlier this yr, President Lee visited the US. Lee can also be attempting to renew dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang.
How is South Korea being affected by the US-Israel battle on Iran?
South Korea is dealing with an financial disaster. The nation depends on the Gulf provides through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 to 70 p.c of crude imports, which means provide is being severely hit. The battle has led to hovering inflation, inflicting the Korean received to fall to a 17-year low.
Seoul due to this fact has an curiosity in liberating up the strait. Nevertheless, underneath Korean regulation, the federal government would require parliament’s approval earlier than a army deployment, though some governing celebration members may oppose it.
