Seoul: Anti-ship missiles developed by Iran are believed to have been used in an attack against a South Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month, the foreign ministry announced. The ministry has not yet determined which actor in Iran launched the attack or whether it was intentional.
According to Yonhap News Agency, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo revealed that a technical analysis concluded the unidentified airborne objects were likely Noor-series anti-ship missiles, as developed by Iran. This announcement followed the government's extensive investigation into the incident involving the HMM Namu, a ship operated by major South Korean shipping company HMM Co. The vessel was struck by "two unidentified airborne objects" on May 4 while stalled in the crucial waterway amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
The government investigation team conducted a detailed analysis of the engine debris recovered to ascertain their nature and the responsible parties. The first warhead failed to detonate, while the second detonated upon impact. The missiles are reportedly used by the Iranian navy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and pro-Iran groups.
The investigation concluded the type of objects based on an analysis of the engines, warheads, explosive materials, and airframes recovered from the vessel. Despite this, the government could not confirm the launch site, the exact perpetrator, or the intent of the attack. Multiple pieces of evidence, however, point toward Iran, Park stated. Determining intent remains challenging, as it is subjective and cannot be confirmed unless acknowledged by the responsible party.
In response to the findings, the ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi to protest the attack on the South Korean vessel and demanded "responsible measures, including steps to prevent a recurrence." Upon arrival at the ministry building in Seoul, the Iranian envoy did not respond to questions regarding Iran's acknowledgment or intent to apologize for the attack.
The attack resulted in an explosion and fire aboard the ship, with one of the 24 crew members sustaining minor injuries. Shortly after, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had "taken some shots" at the HMM vessel and other targets. However, the Iranian Embassy in Seoul maintains that Tehran "firmly and categorically" denies any military involvement in the incident.
Currently, the HMM Namu is undergoing repairs in the United Arab Emirates. The conflict has effectively choked off passage through the Strait of Hormuz since late February, following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Although 25 vessels, including the HMM Namu, were stranded in the strategic chokepoint, a South Korean oil tanker operated by HMM passed through the waterway last week, marking the first Korean-managed vessel to do so since the conflict began.