South Korea says ‘unidentified aircraft’ hit cargo ship in Hormuz on Monday
US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran “fired several shots” at the Panama-flagged ship and called on South Korea to join American operations aimed at restoring normal shipping in the strait.
Also Read: Iranian military says countries siding with US will ‘face difficulties’ in Hormuz
This vital waterway has been effectively closed since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28; Tehran responds with attacks in the Middle East and blocks the strait, shaking global energy markets.
“… two unidentified aircraft struck the outer plate of the port side ballast tank at the stern of HMM Namu at approximately one-minute intervals, causing flames and smoke,” foreign ministry spokesman Park Il said at a news briefing about Monday’s attack.
It did not specify what type of aircraft was involved, saying they were “captured on CCTV footage, but there are limitations in determining the exact type of objects, location of launch and physical size.”
Tehran has denied responsibility for the attack, and its embassy in Seoul posted a statement on its website saying its forces “firmly deny and categorically reject any allegations of involvement.” Park said Iran’s ambassador to South Korea was summoned to the foreign ministry to explain Tehran’s stance on the findings.
He declined to speculate on how the government would respond if Iran was found to be responsible for the attack.
– Twisted metal –
Park said the damage to the ship, which had 24 crew members on board, “extended approximately five meters (16.5 feet) wide at the stern on the port side and approximately seven meters (23 feet) into the hull.”
“The fire in the engine room is believed to have started in the first attack, and the second attack appears to have caused the fire to spread rapidly,” he said.
Park said further analysis will be done on “engine debris and other parts.”
Also Read: Trump engages in toughest fights against Iran to reopen Hormuz
A photo published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows the ship’s engine room severely burned.
Another photo shows a large gash in the outer hull near the stern; twisted metal and internal frames can be seen around the impact area.
Park said South Korea is reviewing participation in U.S.-led initiatives related to freedom of navigation, including the U.S.-led Freedom of Navigation Structure, or “Freedom Project.”
Asia’s fourth-largest economy relies heavily on fuel imports from the Middle East, much of which passed through the Strait of Hormuz before it was effectively closed.
South Korea, a major petrochemical producer and refiner, has imposed a ceiling on fuel prices for the first time in nearly 30 years.
It also sought to diversify its fuel supply by securing more than 270 million barrels of crude oil, enough for more than three months of oil needs, through routes unaffected by the blockade.
