Seoul: South Korea has dispatched an investigation team to assess the situation in the conflict-stricken Strait of Hormuz, the defense ministry said Tuesday, amid repeated calls from Washington for Seoul to assist its war efforts against Iran. The team departed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the weekend and is expected to return as early as this week. The examination results will be reported to the National Security Council, the ministry added.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry clarified that the mission aims to evaluate the current state of affairs and security conditions in the strait, emphasizing that the dispatch "was not decided on the premise of military deployment." Furthermore, the ministry dismissed a report claiming Washington has requested Seoul to decide by November on whether to send troops.

This development follows six months after U.S. President Donald Trump urged five nations, including South Korea, to send warships to the strait and secure the vital shipping route in the Middle East. Trump has recently increased pressure on Seoul to contribute militarily, asserting in August that South Korea declined such requests.

On Monday, Seoul's foreign ministry stated that South Korea is in close communication with relevant countries and the international community to maintain free passage for all vessels through the strait. The presidential office indicated that no decision has been made on troop deployment, and various options are still under review.

The defense ministry is reportedly evaluating a list of "military assets" that could be deployed if a decision to contribute militarily is made. This list is believed to include a maritime patrol aircraft, bomb disposal experts, and sea mine detection and removal equipment.