Iran tells Korea to ‘avoid interfering’ after Seoul expands naval unit’s activities closer to Hormuz

A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said other countries “should avoid actions that further complicate the situation”

The Korean-language graphic uploaded by Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sept. 7, 2026. (via X)

Iran has renewed its call for restraint following Korea’s decision to expand the operations of its naval forces near the Strait of Hormuz.

 “The best help South Korea can offer is to avoid interfering in an already complicated situation,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said at a regular press briefing on Monday, according to ISNA and other Iranian state news outlets.

“Korea should refrain from deploying military forces to the region under the pretext of helping to reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said.

 “Iran and Korea have maintained friendly relations for more than 60 years, founded on mutual respect and the interests of both countries,” Baqaei noted, adding that the Iranian people do not want other countries to align themselves with the US, the “Zionist regime” of Israel, or other allies that have either directly or indirectly supported their recent military aggression.

 The Iranian spokesperson said he hoped that Korea would avoid “the appearance of siding with the US and its allies and being complicit in their military aggression.”

 “We hope that Korea and the international community will recognize the sweeping harmful consequences of the US’ and Israel’s illegal actions and refrain from any steps that could further complicate the situation in the region,” Baqaei also said.

 On Thursday, the Korean government asked the National Assembly to approve expanding the Cheonghae Unit’s operations and deploying additional military assets. The move has drawn criticism both in Korea and abroad as amounting to a military deployment and indirect support for the US’ war against Iran.

 While the Cheonghae Unit is currently responsible for protecting merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden, off Somalia, Seoul plans to extend its operational area to waters south of Oman, closer to the Strait of Hormuz. Korea also intends to deploy additional assets, including maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal team, and unmanned minesweepers.

 This is not the first time Iran has warned Korea against deploying forces to the Strait of Hormuz.

 On Sept. 7, Baqaei took the unusual step of posting a statement in Korean on his X account warning Seoul against military involvement in the waterway.

 Relations between Iran and Korea, he wrote, have been based on mutual respect for more than 64 years.

 “However, any operational participation or military deployment by another country in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz will be regarded as direct support for the aggressor and is sure to have serious consequences,” he warned.