A South Korean cargo ship struck in the Strait of Hormuz last Monday was hit by an unidentified aircraft, Seoul's foreign ministry confirmed on Sunday, several days after the fire-damaged vessel reached Dubai.
The HMM Namu, a Panama-flagged cargo ship, sustained fire damage in the incident. South Korean officials have not publicly identified who was responsible for the strike, describing the aircraft only as "unidentified," according to reporting by the South China Morning Post.
US President Donald Trump has pointed to Iran as the responsible party, claiming Tehran had "taken some shots" at the vessel. Trump also used the incident to pressure South Korea to participate in US-led naval operations aimed at restoring commercial shipping through the strategically vital waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz has been largely closed to normal shipping since the United States and Israel launched military operations in the region. The strait is one of the world's most critical chokepoints for global energy and trade, with roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply passing through it under normal circumstances.
Regional shipping under pressure
The attack on the HMM Namu is the latest incident highlighting the vulnerability of commercial vessels operating in the Persian Gulf area. Shipping disruptions in the region have drawn international concern over supply chain stability and energy markets.
South Korea has not publicly confirmed or denied Trump's assertion that Iran was responsible. Seoul's cautious language in attributing the attack reflects the diplomatic sensitivities involved, given South Korea's significant trade relationship with both the United States and regional partners.
The incident adds to growing pressure on countries with commercial shipping interests to take a position on US-led efforts to secure the strait. Trump's call for South Korea to join those operations marks an escalation in Washington's effort to build a coalition of maritime partners in the region.
It remains unclear at the time of publication whether Seoul intends to commit naval assets to the US-led mission. South Korean officials have not made a formal response to Trump's request publicly available.
