Seoul: South Korea struck a cautious note Tuesday over Iran's move to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz amid the widening conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran, saying it is closely monitoring the situation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Iran's parliamentary commission has passed legislation introducing fees for ships passing through the vital waterway for global energy supplies, sparking concerns from the United States, the European Union, and other countries.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and developments in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said during a press briefing. "We maintain that freedom of navigation and the safety of all vessels must be guaranteed and that global energy supplies should be normalized as soon as possible," Park added.

A ministry official noted the need to carefully assess the issue, considering various factors, including negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, positions of other countries, and discussions at the United Nations and relevant international organizations. "Freedom of navigation and maritime security are like global public goods," the official told reporters. "We are also taking into account the potential impact on our relations with Iran, alongside ongoing international discussions."