Seoul: Some 30 South Korean commercial vessels were found to be operating in or near the Strait of Hormuz, industry sources said Tuesday, amid escalating tensions across the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli air strikes against Iran.

According to Yonhap News Agency, on Monday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and threatened to attack any ships passing through the ocean route, which carries one-fifth of oil consumed globally, as reported by Iran's state media.

South Korea's oceans ministry and the Korea Shipowners' Association have ordered vessels within or near the route to move to a nearby safer location, while prohibiting new vessels from entering the shipping route, according to the sources. Companies with a Middle Eastern business presence have initiated emergency measures.

South Korea's largest container shipper, HMM Co., has anchored its container vessel sailing in the Hormuz strait at a port in Dubai. The company is considering having vessels that sail near the Hormuz strait unload their cargo at alternative ports instead of at ones inside the strait.

Semiconductor giant, Samsung Electronics Co., is said to have evacuated its employees working in Iran and Israel to nearby countries in the Middle East. It also issued a remote-work order to staff in the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Qatar.

Hyundai Motor Co. said it is maintaining an emergency contact system with its staff, while closely monitoring new developments in the region. "All our staff in the Middle East remain safe. We are reviewing additional response measures if necessary," a company official said.