Iran strikes tanker in Hormuz as South Korea weighs naval expansion

Iran said it struck a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz as South Korea reviewed wider naval protection for its ships. The developments underscored rising risks to regional shipping and deepening strain on civilians in Gaza.

In Short

• State media said Revolutionary Guards warned unauthorised strait crossings face destruction
• A separate maritime security incident near Khasab reported crew safe
• US forces are guiding some commercial vessels off Oman amid risks

Iran said on Friday that it had struck an oil tanker trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while South Korea said it was considering expanding the operations of its naval unit in the region to protect its ships and oil routes.

Even as Seoul ruled out any troop deployment that would draw it into the US-Iran conflict, a separate ship "security incident" was reported near Oman. In Gaza, the collapse of a multistorey building this week has also renewed focus on the poor condition of shelters nearly a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had raised hopes of reconstruction.

Iran said it struck the Togo-flagged oil tanker Trend over what it called an "illegal attempt" to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state broadcaster, which cited the Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Associated Press could not immediately confirm the report.

The broadcaster said the Guard's navy warned that unauthorised passage through the strait would lead to the "destruction" of offending vessels. Tehran has asserted control over the waterway since the US and Israel launched the war on February 28.

Separately, a monitor reported overnight a ship "security incident" 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab in Oman, on the other side of the strait. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the crew was safe and no environmental impact had been confirmed. The US military has been guiding some commercial ships through the strait off Oman as the risk of Iranian attacks continues.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said his government was considering expanding the operations of a naval unit deployed in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen and Somalia to protect South Korean vessels and oil shipping routes. However, he stressed that South Korea would not take any action that would pull it into the US-Iran conflict, pushing back against recent pressure from the Trump administration for greater involvement. South Korea has deployed the anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit in the area for years.

Lee said the threat posed by Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen to shipping in the region had raised concern, even though the rebels have said they are only targeting the assets of neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter. Referring to the risks to South Korea's economy and the need to protect its ships, Lee said, "there will be no troop deployment that involves or intervenes in the war. I can state that clearly."

In Gaza, the collapse of a multistorey building this week has drawn attention to the hardships facing Palestinians. Many displaced residents have moved back into some of the hundreds of thousands of homes damaged during the fighting, despite the danger of weakened foundations and unstable walls giving way.

Overall, the latest developments in the Middle East pointed to continued tension around key shipping routes, South Korea's effort to protect its maritime interests without entering the conflict, and worsening living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza.

With PTI Inputs

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