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.
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.
