By Our Correspondent

National News – Iran’s Embassy has denied any involvement in an explosion that damaged a South Korean cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

It rejected claims linking its armed forces to the incident.

The blast occurred on Monday and affected the Panama-flagged HMM Namu.

The ship was carrying 24 crew members when it suffered fire damage while passing through the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key global oil route. It has seen rising tension due to ongoing regional disputes involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of attacking the vessel.

He also urged South Korea to join US-led efforts to secure shipping routes in the region.

South Korea later said it would review its role in escort operations.

However, it suspended its participation in the programme known as Project Freedom.
Iran’s embassy firmly denied the allegation.

It said there is no evidence of Iranian involvement in the maritime incident.

Tehran stressed that the Strait of Hormuz requires strict adherence to navigation rules.

It warned that ignoring operational conditions could lead to accidents at sea.

It added that responsibility lies with any party that fails to follow proper maritime procedures in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global shipping lane. It handles a significant share of the world’s oil trade.

Experts warn that continued tensions could affect global energy stability.

They also highlight risks to international maritime security if disputes escalate further.

Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.