South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call on Friday to discuss navigational security in the Strait of Hormuz. Cho said the free and safe passage of all vessels through the strategic waterway must be guaranteed.
Cho expressed deep concern over the latest developments in the Middle East and said he hoped sustainable peace and stability would be restored in the region. He also said South Korea would continue participating in international efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Seoul has not decided whether to join US operations
The call took place after Tehran warned Seoul against joining US military operations against Iran. South Korea has said in several statements in recent days that it has not yet decided whether to deploy forces to join US operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Cho and Araghchi speak for sixth time
Cho and Araghchi held their sixth phone call since the war began. South Korea is a treaty ally of the United States and hosts approximately 39,000 US troops on the Korean Peninsula.