US urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged multilateral cooperation and naval presence in the Middle East following his phone call with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on March 16, prompting Seoul to face pressure regarding potential deployments near the Strait of Hormuz while FM Cho provided vague answers when questioned about a formal request for warships Tuesday.
Key Points
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1South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun sidestepped questions regarding whether President Trump formally requested Seoul to deploy warships to protect the Strait of Hormuz.
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2U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged multilateral cooperation and asked for support from allies during a phone call with FM Cho on March 16, though he did not confirm specific deployment orders in available excerpts.
Developments
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun sidestepped questions about whether President Trump formally requested South Korea's warships for Middle East operations during Tuesday's National Assembly session amid pressure from U.S. allies and Secretary Marco Rubio to secure the Strait of Hormuz against Iran while avoiding a direct commitment that could risk Seoul's oil-dependent economy without parliamentary approval under its Constitution.
On March 16, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Washington's request regarding Middle East tensions and bilateral relations. During their discussion on regional security in the Strait of Hormuz, both officials emphasized multilateral cooperation for stability while agreeing to maintain close communication through future meetings.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to agree that securing safety in the Strait of Hormuz is critical for stabilizing global oil prices and economies, following a recent U.-Israel attack on Iran that has effectively closed most tanker traffic through the waterway while President Trump urged nations including China to deploy naval ships.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Foreign Minister Cho Hyun Monday evening to discuss military operations in Iran, regional peace prospects, and safety concerns regarding South Korean citizens abroad; both officials emphasized that multinational cooperation is essential for ensuring stability in the Strait of Hormuz while continuing close consultations on these issues.