Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Monday warned the Republic of Korea (ROK) against maintaining a military presence or participating in operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Baghaei's comments followed the ROK's announcement that it was reviewing options, including military measures, to support what it calls its freedom of navigation in the Strait.
Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Iran's capital, Baghaei said relations between Iran and the ROK span more than 64 years and have always been grounded in mutual respect. However, he warned that any operational involvement or military presence by other parties in the Strait of Hormuz would be seen as direct support for the aggressor side and would carry serious consequences.
He described his statement as a general warning to all countries against being used instrumentally by the United States.
He further emphasized that attacks on Iran's oil tankers constitute a war crime, and that such U.S. actions would legitimize Iran's defensive measures.
"Iran has positioned itself in a stance of self-defense due to the ongoing naval blockade and economic war. Under these circumstances, its strikes against U.S. military bases or naval vessels fall squarely within its inherent right to legitimate self-defense, as recognized under Article 51 of the UN Charter," Baghaei said.
He also rejected U.S. attempts to blame Tehran for disruptions to commercial shipping and rising energy prices, arguing that the U.S. itself sparked the crisis by waging a war of aggression against Iran.
The spokesman highlighted the latest developments in Iran-Oman talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz, noting that negotiations are progress despite occasional interruptions caused by third-party interference.
Baghaei said the talks are nearing their final stages, and that an agreement is expected to be submitted to the International Maritime Organization within the next few days. However, he added that this objective would only be met if disruptive parties do not create new obstacles.
Iran warns ROK against military involvement in Hormuz Strait conflict
Iranian officials have strongly condemned a deadly U.S. airstrike that hit a wedding ceremony in the southern province of Hormozgan last week, which comes after numerous strikes on civilian targets which have occurred in recent months.
Iranian media reported that the U.S. strike night hit a wedding party in Sirik County of Hormozgan on Sept 1, killing at least four people and injuring 68 others. Reports said that dozens of people had gathered for the wedding of a fisherman's daughter.
Following the incident, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attack as "a desperate U.S. attempt to hide its defeat", while U.S. Vice President JD Vance later said the United States is "investigating" the strike.
The attack has been met with widespread anger across Iran, turning what should have been a joyous occasion into one of tragedy and grief.
Jodari, a local official in Kuhestak where the attack happened, described what unfolded. He said U.S. forces first hit a signal tower in the area, before two missiles struck the wedding venue.
"Two missiles hit here. One struck the roof directly. The other came in from the edge of the roof of the building opposite and hit the upper part of the structure. Such acts should be condemned. Any attack on civilians anywhere in the world must be condemned," said Jodari as he spoke from the scene of the attack.
Iranian officials say the latest attack is the latest in a series of questionable humanitarian violations committed by the United States in its war against Iran.
"On the very first day of the war, they struck a school in Minab, and the school is nearby here. They also hit a gymnasium in Lamerd. So far, more than 30 gymnasiums and several hospitals across Iran have been attacked. Many civilian facilities, including bridges, pharmaceutical factories, and other infrastructure, have also been targeted," said Morteza Karamoozian, head of Iran's Media Basij Organization.
One of the most controversial incidents occurred on the opening day of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on Feb 28, when a strike hit a girls' elementary school in Minab in the south of the country, killing 168 people, most of them children, according to Iranian authorities. Evidence from subsequent investigations has pointed to a U.S. Tomahawk missile as the weapon used in the strike.
Iranian officials strongly condemn deadly US airstrike on wedding ceremony
