South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the Middle East and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the call took place in the afternoon at Iran's request. The two sides exchanged views on the overall situation in the Middle East.
Araghchi explained Iran's position on the state of negotiations between the United States and Iran. Cho said he hopes peace and stability in the region will be restored swiftly, given the impact of Middle East stability on global security and the economy.
Cho also raised the situation in which vessels of multiple nationalities, including Korean ships, remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that safe passage must be resumed for all vessels, including Korean ones. The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime corridor for global crude oil shipments, and passage has been disrupted as military tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated.
The two sides agreed to continue communicating on related issues going forward.
