Iranian envoy confirms Korea a 'nonhostile nation,' says 'no problem' for Korean vessels transiting Hormuz
Published: 26 Mar. 2026, 17:41
Updated: 31 Mar. 2026, 17:15
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- SEO JI-EUN
- [email protected]
![Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi speaks at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 26. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/31/2a29941f-2181-415b-9451-c53ff6181dea.jpg)
Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi speaks at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on March 26. [YONHAP]
Iran’s top diplomat in Seoul confirmed Korea as a "nonhostile nation" on Thursday while warning that any vessels with commercial ties to U.S. or Israeli interests would be barred from transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The Korean Foreign Ministry, however, downplayed the remarks, denying that any official request for a list of vessels had been received through diplomatic channels.
"Korea is categorized as a nonhostile nation," Ambassador Saeed Koozechi said through an interpreter at a press conference held at the Iranian Embassy in central Seoul. "We appreciate that the Korean government has not entered into the agreements proposed by the United States. We hope Korea continues to maintain such policy."
The confirmation marks the first time Iran has publicly applied the "nonhostile" designation to Korea since Tehran sent a communiqué to the International Maritime Organization earlier this week, stating that only nonhostile vessels would be guaranteed safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint.
The designation is viewed as a diplomatic overture aimed at preserving Seoul's cautious — and increasingly skeptical — stance toward U.S. calls for military deployment in support of its allies.
"There are no problems for Korean vessels," Koozechi said, reiterating that the strait is not under a "blockade."
He added, however, that ships wishing to transit must first "coordinate" with the Iranian government.
"Any entity that serves the interests of the U.S. and Israel will face Iranian sanctions," he said. "It is not justified for U.S. companies to operate freely in the Persian Gulf while Iranian civilians, factories and hospitals are being brutally attacked."
Koozechi also claimed that during a phone call on Monday between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian side formally requested detailed information on Korean vessels seeking passage.
Seoul offered a different account of the call.
The Foreign Ministry said the conversation was not a bilateral negotiation over transit arrangements, but rather a general appeal for precautionary measures in the event of a humanitarian emergency — such as a critical shortage of supplies.
"Our understanding is that the mention of vessel information was solely in the context of safety measures in the event of a humanitarian issue," Ministry Spokesperson Park Il said at a briefing held later in the day. "The Iranian ambassador’s remarks appear to be quite out of context."
A ministry official also said Seoul had not been informed of any condition barring vessels with U.S. investment from transiting the strait.
A source familiar with the matter said there is no immediate crisis for the 26 Korean ships currently anchored near the strait, as each vessel carries between 30 and 45 days' worth of supplies.
The misunderstanding comes as the Lee Jae Myung administration faces pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who took to social media on March 14 calling on specific nations — including Korea — to send warships to the strait.
Sentiment within the Korean government appears to be tilting against military intervention.
"The momentum for mobilizing military assets is currently very low," a government source said, noting that even Japan — following recent summit talk — has signaled it will not deploy forces during the active conflict phase. "Hardly any country is willing to commit military assets at this stage."
Washington has cited intelligence indications that Iranian forces have been laying naval mines in the strait, pointing to the need for international naval escorts or participation to ensure safe passage.
Alternatives under discussion include dispatching Korean minesweepers or contributing to a coalition fund among allied nations for mine-clearing operations in the waterway.
Koozechi dismissed those claims as "nonsense," arguing that given Iran's current military capabilities and infrastructure, laying mines in the strait would be unnecessary.
"I want to state clearly that no seamines have been laid in the strait," he said.
Escorting vessels from outside the region could "cost other people their lives," he warned, suggesting that the United States — reluctant to acknowledge defeat in the conflict — appeared to be "drawing other nations" into its strategy.
![Images of destroyed buildings and footage of children killed in an airstrike at an elementary school and their grieving families are displayed at the Iranian Embassy in Seoul on March 26. [SEO JI-EUN]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/03/31/6132cd3b-2cdb-4199-9f2e-0a4cba69ecd1.jpg)
Images of destroyed buildings and footage of children killed in an airstrike at an elementary school and their grieving families are displayed at the Iranian Embassy in Seoul on March 26. [SEO JI-EUN]
BY SEO JI-EUN [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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