South Korea Accuses Iranian Missile Of Hitting Commercial Ship Near Hormuz

South Korea said an attack on a cargo ship operated by local shipping company HMM in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month likely involved an Iranian anti-ship missile.

The statement came after a government investigation into the May 4 attack on the bulk carrier Namu, which caused a fire and damaged the vessel’s lower stern hull.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said debris recovered from the ship pointed toward Iran, although Seoul said it could not conclusively determine who carried out the attack or whether it was intentional.

“Various pieces of evidence point toward Iran,” First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo said during a briefing on the investigation results.

According to the ministry, the ship was attacked twice. Officials said the first warhead did not explode, while the second detonated.

The investigation found that components recovered from the vessel were likely made in Iran.

“Their engines were similar to turbojet engines made in Iran,” Park said, adding that one component had markings believed to be linked to an Iranian manufacturer.

South Korean officials also said the recovered warheads resembled those used in Iran’s Noor or Qader anti-ship missile systems.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and global trade, and the incident has raised concerns over commercial shipping security in the region.

Iran denied involvement in the attack. Saeed Koozechi, Iran’s ambassador to South Korea, said Tehran “took no part” in the incident, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The Iranian embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

South Korea said it summoned the Iranian ambassador to share the investigation findings and deliver a protest message. Seoul also said it would ask Iran to take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

A South Korean defence official said firing two missiles suggested an intention to cause damage from a naval perspective.

U.S. President Donald Trump said soon after the incident that Iran had fired at the South Korean vessel and urged Seoul to join U.S.-led efforts to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran has previously denied responsibility for the attack.

References: independent, Reuters