Iran has issued its first official statement on South Korea’s potential deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, warning that countries sending forces to the Persian Gulf waterway or joining military operations would be regarded as directly supporting the United States and face serious consequences. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran values its relationship with South Korea, which established diplomatic ties in 1962, but urged Seoul not to yield to U.S. pressure. The warning comes as the Trump administration presses South Korea to contribute to maritime security in a route vital to energy shipments. Seoul is reviewing military and noncombat options while maintaining that no deployment decision has been made. Earlier discussions included roughly 50 personnel, a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team, excluding the logistics support ship Soyang; including the ship would have required about 150 personnel. Domestic opposition and constitutional concerns have complicated the debate.