Korea is facing a diplomatic challenge to convince Iran that the Cheonghae Unit’s expanded mission closer to the Strait of Hormuz is not an intervention in the ongoing U.S.-Iran war, as the Middle Eastern country warned Korea could be “portrayed as an accomplice” of U.S. military attacks. Although Korea’s defense authorities reiterated that the unit's expanded duties do not cover the strait, but rather are aimed at protecting Korean vessels from piracy, experts say it seems Seoul’s intention has not been delivered as intended. This raises concerns that Iran could view the move as entry into the war and lead to potential clashes. The concerns come after Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei delivered a briefing Monday (local time). “South Korea should keep itself away from entering into an issue that is already complicated enough,” Baghaei said, according to local media reports. "It should refrain from deploying military forces to the region under the name of supporting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz." He noted that Tehran and Seoul have maintained rela