Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Monday asked his Iranian counterpart to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid an ongoing conflict in the region, the foreign ministry said. Cho made the call in his phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as tensions have escalated in the Middle East following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran late last month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have nearly halted, disrupting global supply and leading to surging global oil prices. The strait is a crucial chokepoint for the world's oil supply, and the recent disruptions have had significant impacts on international markets.