South Korea Says Iran-Linked Missiles Hit Vessel in Strait of Hormuz

South Korea's foreign ministry announced Wednesday that technical analysis identified the objects that struck the container ship HMM Namu on May 4 as Noor-series anti-ship missiles developed by Iran. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo told reporters that engine debris, warheads, explosive materials and airframes recovered from the vessel matched the Iranian missile type.

The first warhead failed to detonate while the second exploded on impact, causing a fire and minor injury to one of the 24 crew members. The ministry said it could not determine the launch site, the specific Iranian actor involved, or whether the strike was deliberate.

Park stated that multiple pieces of evidence point toward Iran but added that intent is a subjective matter that cannot be confirmed without acknowledgment by the responsible party.

The ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi to deliver a protest and demand measures to prevent recurrence. The ambassador did not respond to questions from reporters upon arrival at the ministry building in Seoul. , remains under repair in the United Arab Emirates.

The vessel had been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz along with 25 other ships during the conflict that began in late February. A South Korean oil tanker operated by HMM later transited the waterway, the first such passage by a Korean-managed vessel since the conflict began.

The Iranian Embassy in Seoul has denied any involvement by Iranian military forces in the May 4 incident.