How South Korea finds itself trapped in the US-Iran war
Washington is pressuring a reluctant Seoul to support its naval blockade of Iran; Tehran is threatening consequences.
Tehran has threatened “serious consequences” for South Korea if it interferes in the US-Israel war on Iran.
The warning comes amid reports that Seoul is mulling contributing to the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz passage, which has hampered Iran’s oil exports.
In a statement posted on X on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran and South Korea had more than 64 years of diplomatic relations based on mutual respect and that Tehran values that friendship.
President Lee, a liberal who pushes for a dialled-down defence posture, has opted to negotiate. His office earlier released statements saying it hopes for “meaningful dialogue” with Trump.