Seoul: South Korea has made no decision on deploying military assets to the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in a phone call Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Cho conveyed South Korea's position that no decision has been made regarding a possible deployment and stressed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The discussion comes amid pressure from the United States for South Korea to join military operations against Iran.

The phone conversation also touched on the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, with Cho underscoring Seoul's continued participation in international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. South Korea has consistently maintained that the free and safe passage of all vessels must be guaranteed.

Cho expressed concerns over the situation in the Middle East and voiced hope for sustainable peace and stability in the region. The call with Araghchi marks their sixth conversation since the onset of tensions in the Middle East.

Amidst these developments, Tehran has warned Seoul against aligning with the US-led military operations against Iran. Despite these warnings, South Korea has released several statements clarifying that no decision has been reached on deploying forces to join US operations in Hormuz.

In addition to the situation in Hormuz, South Korea is facing growing calls from the United States to send its homegrown Patriot missile interceptors to Ukraine, which is currently engaged in conflict with Russia. South Korea remains a treaty ally of the US, hosting approximately 39,000 American troops on the Korean Peninsula.