Korean, Iranian FMs hold phone talks over Strait of Hormuz issues

Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, held phone talks Friday on the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. Cho voiced concern over regional tensions, backed international efforts for freedom of navigation, and asked Iran to protect Korean nationals. The two ministers agreed to keep communicating on regional developments and bilateral issues.

The call was the sixth known phone conversation between Cho Hyun and Araghchi since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February.

The latest call was held at Araghchi’s request, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry.

Cho said Korea has consistently maintained that the free and safe passage of all vessels must be guaranteed.

The ministry said the two ministers agreed to maintain communication through bilateral and multilateral channels.

Cho asked Iran to pay close attention to the safety of Korean nationals in the region.

Published Sep 11, 2026 2:29 pm KST

Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, right, holds a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi in New York on Sept. 25, 2025, on the sidelines of the 80th U.N. General Assembly high-level session. Courtesy of foreign ministry

Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, held phone talks Friday and discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

The phone conversation comes as Korea is weighing whether to deploy military assets to help secure the strategic waterway amid the United States' pressure on Seoul to make a military contribution. Iran has strongly opposed any foreign military involvement.

During the talks, Cho expressed deep concern over the recent situation in the Middle East and voiced hope that sustainable peace and stability would be restored in the region, according to the ministry.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Cho also underscored Seoul's continued participation in international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

He also stressed that Korea has consistently maintained that the free and safe passage of all vessels must be guaranteed.

Cho also asked Iran to pay close attention to the safety of Korean nationals in the region, according to the ministry.

Araghchi explained Iran's position on the current situation in the Middle East, while the two ministers agreed to maintain communication on regional developments and bilateral issues through both bilateral and multilateral channels, the ministry said.

It marked the sixth known phone conversation between the two ministers since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in late February, with the latest call held at Araghchi's request, according to the ministry.

韩国外长赵显铉与伊朗外长赛义德·阿巴斯·阿拉格奇周五通电话，讨论了中东局势和霍尔木兹海峡问题。赵显铉对地区紧张局势表示关切，支持国际社会维护航行自由的努力，并要求伊朗保护韩国公民。两位外长同意就地区局势和双边问题继续保持沟通。

这是自2月底美伊冲突爆发以来，赵显铉和阿拉奇之间已知的第六次通话。

据首尔外交部称，最近一次通话是应阿拉奇的要求进行的。

赵表示，韩国一贯坚持必须保障所有船只的自由和安全通行。

该部表示，两位部长同意通过双边和多边渠道保持沟通。

赵立坚要求伊朗密切关注该地区韩国公民的安全。

发布于2026年9月11日下午2:29（韩国标准时间）

2025年9月25日，韩国外交部长赵显铉（右）在纽约出席第80届联合国大会高级别会议期间，与伊朗外交部长赛义德·阿巴斯·阿拉格奇举行会晤。图片由韩国外交部提供。

韩国外交部表示，韩国外长赵显铉和伊朗外长赛义德·阿巴斯·阿拉格奇周五举行了电话会谈，讨论了中东局势和霍尔木兹海峡问题。

此次通话正值韩国权衡是否部署军事力量协助确保这条战略水道的安全之际，此前美国一直施压首尔做出军事贡献。伊朗强烈反对任何外国军事介入。

据外交部消息，会谈期间，赵显龙对近期中东局势表示深切关注，并希望该地区能够恢复可持续的和平与稳定。

关于霍尔木兹海峡，赵也强调首尔将继续参与国际社会为确保这条战略水道航行自由所做的努力。

他还强调，韩国一贯坚持必须保障所有船只的自由和安全通行。

据韩国外交部消息，赵显龙还要求伊朗密切关注在该地区韩国公民的安全。

伊朗外交部表示，阿拉格奇阐述了伊朗对当前中东局势的立场，两位部长同意通过双边和多边渠道就地区局势发展和双边问题保持沟通。

据伊朗外交部称，这是自2月底美伊冲突爆发以来，两位部长之间已知的第六次电话交谈，最近一次通话是应阿拉格奇的要求进行的。