Overview
- A South Korea‑operated oil tanker is exiting the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday under Iranian coordination in what officials call the first Korea‑managed transit since the war, with 26 Korea‑linked vessels still stuck in or near the waterway.
- Iran cleared the passage Monday, the tanker left waters near Qatar Tuesday, and officials expect it to reach the Gulf of Oman late Wednesday along a route set by Tehran with no transit fee paid.
- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the ship carries about 2 million barrels of crude, and Bloomberg identified it as HMM’s supertanker Universal Winner bound for Ulsan, though Seoul declined to confirm the vessel’s name.
- Separately, Seoul says its probe is in the final stage after finding two unidentified flying objects struck the HMM Namu on May 4, with engine debris under review to determine the weapon and who launched it.
- Responsibility is contested, with the U.S. president blaming Iran and Tehran denying involvement while suggesting a possible false‑flag, as Seoul keeps close consultations with Iran to protect crews and clear more ships.