South Korea says Iranian missiles struck Hormuz vessel

South Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo on Wednesday presented findings from a government investigation indicating that Iranian-developed Noor-series anti-ship missiles were likely used in the May 4 attack on the South Korean-operated vessel HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz. Park told reporters in Seoul that technical analysis of debris — including engines, warheads and explosive materials recovered from the vessel — concluded the unidentified airborne objects matched the specifications of Iranian weaponry.

Investigation Findings

The Foreign Ministry noted investigators could not confirm who launched the missiles or whether the strike was intentional, though Park stated that "multiple pieces of evidence point toward Iran." The government probe focused on fragments extracted from the damaged ship operated by major South Korean shipping company HMM Co.

Tehran's Response

Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi rejected the allegations after being summoned by Seoul. "Iran denies all allegations regarding this matter," he said through an interpreter, adding: "We must be wary of false flag operations by hostile countries." The envoy did not specify which countries he suspected might be behind such an operation.

Vessel Damage

The attack caused an explosion and fire aboard the ship, injuring one crew member. The vessel is currently under repair in the United Arab Emirates following the incident in the strategic waterway, according to Yonhap News Agency.