Seoul: South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, engaged in a phone conversation on Friday to discuss the situation in the Middle East and particularly the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Seoul's foreign ministry.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the discussion occurs amidst South Korea's deliberation on deploying military assets to secure the crucial waterway, a move influenced by the United States' pressure for a military contribution. Iran has expressed strong opposition to any foreign military involvement in the region. During the talks, Cho conveyed his concern over the ongoing situation in the Middle East and expressed hope for the restoration of peace and stability. He emphasized South Korea's active participation in international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, advocating for the free and safe passage of all vessels.

Cho further urged Iranian attention to the safety of South Korean nationals in the region. Araghchi outlined Iran's stance on the current Middle Eastern situation, and both ministers agreed to keep communication open regarding regional developments and bilateral issues through both bilateral and multilateral channels. This marks the sixth recorded phone conversation between the two since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February, with the latest call initiated at Araghchi's request.