Seoul: The foreign ministry on Saturday urged all parties involved to make utmost efforts to ease tensions after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, including near the offices of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. U.S. President Donald Trump stated on social media that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran," accusing Iran of pursuing a nuclear program and developing missiles capable of reaching the U.S. In response, Israeli officials reported that Iran launched retaliatory strikes.

"The government calls on all parties involved to make utmost efforts to ease tensions in the region," the foreign ministry stated. Seoul is closely monitoring the situation related to Iran while taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of South Koreans residing in Iran, the ministry added.

As of Saturday evening, the ministry confirmed that no injuries or casualties had been reported among South Korean nationals in Iran and Israel. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina presided over a meeting to review the situation, attended by representatives from embassies in the U.S., Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait, and Turkmenistan.

Kim noted "rapidly escalating tension" in the Middle East and called for close coordination between the ministry and relevant embassies to ensure the safety of South Korean nationals in the region. Kim also stressed the importance of embassies in countries near Iran and Israel maintaining close contact to ensure "organic responses" to any contingencies.

South Korean embassies in Iran and Israel reported that they have issued security notices to South Korean residents and are taking measures to ensure their safety.