The South Korean-flagged tanker ship attacked while docked at a United Arab Emirates port earlier this month was likely hit by Iranian missiles, authorities in Seoul said Wednesday.
A technical analysis had concluded that the HMM Namu was likely struck by Noor-series advanced anti-ship missiles developed by Iran, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a briefing.
One of the two missiles that struck the ship had not detonated, according to the assessment, allowing investigators to inspect the warhead. The shape of the warhead was reportedly similar to that used in Noor and Qader-series anti-ship missiles.
Investigators were also able to retrieve identifiable markings from the debris that traced at least one of the missiles back to an Iranian manufacturing facility.
Saeed Koozechi, Iran’s ambassador to South Korea, has denied Iranian involvement in the attack.
First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo said investigators had not decisively determined if Iran was responsible for the attack, but “various pieces of evidence point” toward Tehran.
Authorities had previously reported that the Namu, operated by major South Korean shipping company HMM Co., was struck by two “unidentified airborne objects” on May 4 while docked at Umm Al Quwain port in the UAE.
The missiles struck the vessel just above sea level and sparked massive explosions. At least one of the ship’s 24 crew members was severely injured in the blasts.
South Korean authorities announced an investigation shortly after the incident, and debris from the ship was ferried back to Seoul on May 15.
The accusation comes as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-war levels, and countries that rely on oil transiting the waterway continue to face economic pressure.
A South Korean cargo ship successfully moved through an Iranian-approved route in the strait after close coordination between authorities in Seoul and Tehran. The move was the first public transit by a South Korean cargo vessel since the war began, and it comes as Iran looks to further formalize its control over the waterway.
Iran has previously said that countries seeking to send their ships safely through the strait would need to pay a fee and complete proper documentation. It is unclear if Seoul has agreed to pay a passage fee to Iran for safe transit.
