South Korean media: If Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, the Qinghai Force may choose to engage in direct combat! Analysts warn that oil prices may break through the 100 yuan mark

The Iranian Parliament has passed a proposal to block the Hormuz Strait, with the government potentially launching action at any time. Goldman Sachs warns that oil prices may exceed $100 per barrel. This waterway transports 20 million barrels of oil daily, accounting for 20% of global daily oil demand. Besides blocking the waterway, there are concerns about potential conflicts. According to the East Asia Daily report, if South Korean vessels are seized, the South Korean Navy's Cheonghae Unit deployed around the Persian Gulf may not rule out direct confrontation with the Iranian Navy.

South Korean Navy's Cheonghae Unit Not Ruling Out Direct Confrontation with Iran

Currently, the South Korean Navy's Cheonghae Unit is conducting contingency training in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. When discussing countermeasures for potential vessel seizures if Iran blocks the Hormuz Strait, informed sources revealed they do not rule out the possibility of engaging with the Iranian Navy.

The Iranian Parliament has passed a proposal to block the Hormuz Strait. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Middle Eastern countries export approximately 30 million barrels of oil daily, accounting for about 30% of the global daily demand of 100 million barrels. Nearly 70% of this oil needs to be transported through the Hormuz Strait, making it one of the most vulnerable energy bottlenecks globally.

(Iran's Ace: Will Global Energy Be Disrupted If the Hormuz Strait Is Blocked?)

99% of South Korea's Oil Transported via Hormuz Strait

After the Iranian Parliament passed the proposal to block the Hormuz Strait, Western merchant ships and oil tankers, including those from the United States, are highly likely to become "seizure targets". South Korean ships and oil tankers may also become "targets". 99% of South Korea's oil imports from the Middle East come through the Hormuz Strait.

Military personnel stated that if Iran seizes South Korean vessels in the Hormuz Strait, the Cheonghae Unit is likely to be dispatched to the scene to respond. Currently, the 45th rotation's "King Munmu the Great" (a 4,400-ton destroyer) is executing a mission in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia.

The Hormuz Strait has an average width of 50 kilometers. The Iranian Navy has deployed 6 submarines, about 20 submarines, 6 surface warships, approximately 30 missile speedboats, and around 200 small missile boats. Most are medium to small-sized vessels, but they are equipped with missiles and could pose a threat to the Cheonghae Unit.

Simultaneously, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly called on the Chinese government to intervene and prevent Iran from blocking the Hormuz Strait. Iran is the third-largest oil producer in OPEC, with a daily production of 3.3 million barrels, of which 1.84 million barrels are mostly exported to China. About half of China's maritime oil imports come from the Persian Gulf region. Rapidan Energy and Goldman Sachs warn that Iran's blockade action could push oil prices above $100 per barrel.

(Hormuz Crisis? U.S. Urges China to Intervene and Prevent Iran from Cutting Global Oil Lifeline)