▲ This AFP photo, released on May 4, 2026, shows a person in front of a large screen displaying vessel movements in the Strait of Hormuz on a ship-tracking website. (Yonhap)

Iran-S Korean ship explosion

Iran denies involvement in explosion on S. Korean vessel in Strait of Hormuz

SEOUL, May 6 (Yonhap) -- Iran on Wednesday denied any military involvement in a recent explosion and fire on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

A fire broke out Monday on a Panama-flagged cargo ship operated by South Korean shipping firm HMM Co. while it was stranded in the strait. No casualties were reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran had "taken some shots" at the cargo ship and other targets, though the Seoul government has said an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the incident.

Iran "firmly rejects and categorically denies any allegations regarding the involvement of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the incident involving damage to a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz," the Iranian embassy in Seoul said in a statement.

Safe passage through the chokepoint "requires full compliance with applicable regulations, due attention to issued warnings, adherence to designated routes, and coordination with the competent authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the embassy said, warning of "unintended incidents" in case of any disregards.

"Responsibility for such consequences rests with those parties that proceed with transit or activities in the area without due regard to these considerations," it added.

Tehran has effectively shut the crucial waterway, trapping more than 2,000 vessels, including 26 South Korean-flagged ships. A total of 160 South Korean crew members are aboard vessels stranded there, including 37 on foreign-flagged ships.

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