South Korea has initiated consultations with the United States, Iran and other relevant countries regarding maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, following the signing of a preliminary deal between the U.S. and Iran that aims to end the monthslong Middle East war.
A large number of vessels, including two dozen South Korea-linked ships, have been stranded in the waterway, which Iran effectively choked off with threats of missile and drone strikes earlier in the conflict. The consultations are a bid to assess conditions for the safe resumption of shipping.
According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf signed a memorandum of understanding that extends the existing ceasefire for 60 days. During that period, negotiations are to address nuclear and other issues to reach a final peace deal.
Ministry spokesperson Park Il said during a regular press briefing that the government is assessing details related to maritime transit and has begun communication with relevant countries, including the United States and Iran.
Park said officials are closely monitoring a range of factors before making judgments on passage operations, including the presence of naval mines, the overall security situation in the strait and shipping traffic conditions. He said the government will continue to prioritize the safety of South Korean vessels and sailors while working to ensure the smooth resumption of shipping.
The spokesperson added that the government will also maintain close consultations with shipping companies in assessing developments in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of the conflict. MSI previously reported that a second South Korean-operated LNG carrier passed through the strait on June 11, days after the U.S. and Iran advanced toward a broader agreement. The latest diplomatic move — the signing of the 60-day MOU — opens a new window for addressing the stranded vessels and restoring the waterway to normal maritime traffic.