A strike by "unidentified airborne objects" caused an explosion and fire aboard a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz last week, the official Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday, citing the Foreign Ministry in Seoul.
The crew needed hours to put out the flames on the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Namu, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM, in the Strait of Hormuz following the blast on May 4.
"The investigation confirmed that unidentified airborne objects struck the stern of the HMM (vessel)," Yonhap cited the Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.
The ministry said two separate objects struck the ship, which was carrying 24 crew members, one minute apart.
"CCTV footage captured the unidentified flying objects, but there are limitations in determining their exact type, origin and physical size," Yonhap cited ministry spokesperson Park Il as saying at a press briefing. "The likelihood of the objects being mines or torpedoes appears to be low."
According to Yonhap, the ship was anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates in the Strait of Hormuz when the explosion occurred.
US President Donald Trump last week said that "Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship."
Iran's embassy in Seoul said it "firmly rejects and categorically denies any allegations regarding the involvement of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the incident involving damage to a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz."
Roughly a fifth of the world's traded oil and liquefied gas normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the start of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, in late February Tehran has effectively halted shipping through the chokepoint through threats and attacks, while Washington has imposed a naval blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports.
