South Korea weighs Hormuz blockade role after Iran warns of consequences

September 8, 2026 at 03:00 PM2 min

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Iran warned South Korea of serious consequences if Seoul joins the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Seoul said it is communicating with the international community over the situation in the passageway. The warning comes after President Donald Trump scaled back joint military drills with South Korea in August.

Key Facts

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that any South Korean military presence in the Gulf or Strait of Hormuz would be regarded as direct support for the aggressor and would have serious consequences.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on Monday it is communicating with the international community over the situation in the passageway.
President Donald Trump announced on August 16 that the US would significantly scale back the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills with South Korea, the evening before they were scheduled to begin.
Trump said in mid-August that he had asked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for 'a little hand' in the war on Iran, and that Seoul initially said 'No, thanks!'

Iran's Warning

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a statement on X on Monday that Iran and South Korea have more than 64 years of diplomatic relations based on mutual respect. Baghaei warned that if South Korea joins the United States in military actions against Iran, there will be consequences. He said any military presence or participation in operations by another country in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz would inevitably be regarded as direct support for the aggressor and would have serious consequences. Baghaei added that no sovereign and responsible country should succumb to US pressure and intimidation and become complicit in acts of aggression and horrific crimes against the great Iranian nation.

US Pressure on Seoul

President Donald Trump revealed in mid-August that he had spoken to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and asked that Seoul give 'a little hand' in the war on Iran. According to Trump's social media message, Seoul said 'No, thanks!' On August 16, Trump announced that the US would significantly scale back the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills with South Korea, the evening before they were scheduled to begin. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises are meant to sharpen Seoul's readiness in case of a North Korean attack.