/Agencia Reuters
The possibility that an entity other than Iran was responsible for the attack on a cargo vessel linked to a South Korean shipping company, the HMM Namu, near the Strait of Hormuz is low, according to Yonhap news agency citing a senior South Korean official.
Seoul is analyzing intelligence shared by the United States regarding the May 4 aggression against the vessel of Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), which caused a fire and damaged the lower part of the stern of the hull.
“Once we conduct the investigation and present the evidence, I am confident that the Iranian side will respond appropriately,” the South Korean official stated.
South Korea has sent teams of experts to Dubai – where the HMM Namu is being inspected before scheduled repairs – to carry out a forensic investigation of the damage suffered by the ship.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the comments were made “on the premise that Iran’s responsibility for the attack is determined through the investigation” and that appropriate measures would be taken once the inquiry concludes.
Iran has previously denied responsibility for the attack, which involved a strong impact on the side of the vessel. It has since refrained from further comment, while Seoul continues its investigation.
United States President Donald Trump stated shortly after the incident that Iran had fired on the South Korean vessel, urging Seoul to join US-led efforts to ensure navigational safety through the strait.
