▲ South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (R) holds a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi in New York on Sept. 25, 2025, on the sidelines of the 80th U.N. General Assembly high-level session, in this file photo provided by Cho's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ This image, posted by Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson of the Iranian foreign ministry, on his X account, carries a Korean-language message reading, "Dangerous choices come with consequences." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead for details; ADDS more info in paras 2-3, 10-18, additional photo)

By Oh Seok-min

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and Iran held phone talks Friday over the Middle East situation and the Strait of Hormuz, the foreign ministry here said, amid speculation over Seoul's possible deployment of military assets to the crucial waterway.

The talks between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, came as Seoul is weighing a potential military deployment to the strait amid U.S. pressure. Iran has strongly opposed any foreign military involvement.

The latest call was held at Araghchi's request, according to the ministry.

During the talks, Cho expressed deep concern over the recent situation in the Middle East and voiced hope that sustainable peace and stability would be restored in the region, according to the ministry.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Cho also underscored Seoul's continued participation in international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

He also stressed that South Korea has consistently maintained that the free and safe passage of all vessels must be guaranteed.

"Cho conveyed our position that no decision has been made regarding a possible deployment and stressed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible," a ministry official said.

Cho also asked Iran to pay close attention to the safety of South Korean nationals in the region, according to the ministry.

Araghchi explained Iran's position on the current situation in the Middle East, while the two ministers agreed to maintain communication on regional developments and bilateral issues, the ministry said.

It marked the sixth known phone conversation between the two ministers since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February.

On Monday, Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, warned that any other country's military presence or participation in operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz "will have serious consequences."

The Seoul government has stressed that no specific measures have yet been decided regarding its possible role in securing the strait, though local media have reported that the military is reviewing a range of assets for possible deployment.

A potential list includes maritime patrol aircraft, explosive ordnance disposal teams and unmanned systems for detecting and clearing naval mines.

The defense ministry sent a fact-finding team to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this week to assess the security and operational situation near the strait.

The government has said the mission does not presuppose a decision to deploy troops, though sending an assessment team to a potential deployment site is part of due procedures required under the ministry's directives on overseas military deployment.

Upon its return, the team is required to report its findings to the National Security Council.

Under South Korean law, any overseas deployment of military forces requires parliamentary approval.

Any decision on a military deployment is politically sensitive at home, with even some lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party voicing opposition to sending troops to the Strait of Hormuz.

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