HMM Namu, the cargo ship operated by HMM, is seen during a launching ceremony in Guangzhou, China, in this September 2025 photo. The ship sustained an explosion and fire in the Strait of Hormuz, Monday. The cause of the incident is under investigation. Captured from Korean Register Webzine

Iran formally denied any involvement in the explosion on a Korean cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the ship was attacked by Iran because it attempted to navigate the strait without U.S. protection.

The denial came as the shipping company, its union and the Korean government remained cautious about the cause of the incident.

"The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran firmly rejects and categorically denies any allegations regarding the involvement of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the incident involving damage to a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz," the Iranian Embassy in Seoul said in a statement Wednesday.

The statement followed Trump's remarks Tuesday at a White House event: “Their ship was shot at. They were not in the cavalcade of ships they had. They decided to go it alone and their ship got hell knocked out of it yesterday, but they (Iran) didn't shoot the ships that were guarded by us.”

Trump used the incident to renew calls for Korea to join U.S.-led maritime initiatives including the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC) and Project Freedom, aimed at securing freedom of navigation and guarding ships out of the strait.

Seoul has also remained cautious about the cause of the fire on the ship, HMM Namu. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said it is uncertain whether the ship was damaged by an attack.

“The possibility of an attack was raised at the early stage of the fire and we accordingly considered holding a working-level meeting at the National Security Council (NSC),” Wi said during a press briefing.

“After further reviewing additional information, it appeared uncertain that the cause was from an attack," he said, adding that this is why the meeting was not held. "There was no report of sinking or tipping of the ship."

Wi said the government is currently working to assess the damage and determine what caused it.

Source: Korea Times News