What did the U.S. official say about control of the Strait of Hormuz and Korea's possible role?

The official said the Strait of Hormuz is completely open and controlled by the U.S. Navy. The same response said Korea was weighing whether to send military assets to help secure the waterway.

What did Korea's defense ministry say about its assessment team for the Strait of Hormuz?

The defense ministry said it sent an on-site investigation team to assess the situation in the strait. It stressed that the dispatch was not decided on the premise of military deployment.

US official says Strait of Hormuz 'completely open, controlled by US' amid Seoul weighing deployment

Q: Why is Korea considering a possible deployment near the Strait of Hormuz?

Seoul is deliberating whether to help restore freedom of navigation through the strait amid increased pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. The passage is also described as a major route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities.

Listen

Summary

A U.S. official said Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open and controlled by the U.S. Navy as Korea weighs whether to deploy military assets. Seoul is reviewing the situation amid pressure from President Donald Trump and said it has sent an on-site investigation team. The defense ministry said the dispatch was not based on a decision to deploy forces.

Key Facts

The Strait of Hormuz is a key shipping route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities.
The U.S. official said millions of barrels of oil are transiting the strait daily.
The official said the U.S. Navy has cleared the strait of mines and that transit to and from non-Iranian ports will continue to ramp up.
Seoul's defense ministry said it sent an on-site investigation team to assess conditions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The ministry said the team was dispatched without a premise that Korean military assets would be deployed.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 9, 2026 7:49 am KST

A motorboat travels past commercial vessels anchored amid haze in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Sept. 7. AP-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — A U.S. official said Tuesday that the crucial Strait of Hormuz is "completely open and controlled" by the United States Navy, as Korea is weighing the potential deployment of military assets to help secure the waterway.

Seoul has been deliberating on whether to send military assets to help restore freedom of navigation through the strait, a key shipping route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities, amid increased pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

"The Strait is completely open and controlled by the United States Navy. Thanks to the historically successful blockade, nothing gets through to Iran, but the Strait is open for everyone else," the official said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency.

"Millions of barrels of oil are transiting the Strait on a daily basis. Now that the United States Navy has cleared the Strait of mines, transit to and from non-Iranian ports will continue to ramp up even further."

The official was responding to questions about whether there have been any formal or informal discussions between Seoul and Washington on the issue, and whether the Trump administration has made specific requests for Korea to provide assistance in securing the strait.

Seoul's defense ministry said Tuesday that it has sent an on-site investigation team to assess the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the dispatch was not decided on the premise of military deployment.

Explore More