SEOUL, March 22 — South Korea is in close talks with countries, including Iran, to ensure a swift normalisation of the Strait of Hormuz.
Yonhap News Agency reported a Foreign Ministry official as saying that this came after Tehran said it is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the sea route, which has been virtually closed in the wake of the Middle East crisis.
“The government is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East while exploring ways to protect our citizens and secure energy transport routes. We are communicating actively with relevant countries, including Iran,” the official said today.
Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Kyodo News Agency that Tehran is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the key oil shipping route after appropriate consultations with Tokyo.
The Strait of Hormuz accounts for more than 20 per cent of the world’s oil trade.
All lanes accessible to oil tankers fall within Iranian territorial waters, making the strait a critical lifeline for countries in East Asia, including South Korea and Japan.
Yesterday, Seoul said it will join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran’s attacks in the Gulf and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz
Tensions escalated after United States and Israeli airstrikes, prompting Iran to effectively blockade the strait and raising concerns of a global energy crisis.
