Iran said on Friday that it had struck an oil tanker attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, as South Korea considered expanding the operations of its naval unit in the region to protect its vessels and oil supply routes.

Seoul ruled out deploying troops in a move that could draw South Korea into the US-Iran conflict. Meanwhile, a separate ship “security incident” was reported near Oman, while in Gaza, the collapse of a multistorey building renewed concerns about the condition of shelters and damaged homes nearly a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas raised hopes of reconstruction.

Iran Reports Strike On Oil Tanker

Iran said its forces struck the Togo-flagged oil tanker Trend over what it described as an “illegal attempt” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The report was carried by Iran’s state broadcaster, which cited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Associated Press could not immediately independently confirm the claim.

According to the broadcaster, the Guard’s naval forces had warned that unauthorised attempts to pass through the strategic waterway would result in the “destruction” of offending vessels.

Tehran has asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel launched the war on February 28, raising concerns over the safety of one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Separate Ship Incident Reported Near Oman

A separate maritime “security incident” was reported overnight around 16 nautical miles northeast of Khasab in Oman, on the opposite side of the Strait of Hormuz.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the crew was safe and that no environmental impact had been confirmed.

The incident comes as the risk of attacks on commercial shipping remains elevated in the region. The US military has been guiding some commercial vessels through the strait off Oman amid continued concerns over possible Iranian attacks.

South Korea Rules Out Troop Deployment

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul was considering expanding the operations of a naval unit deployed in the Gulf of Aden, off Yemen and Somalia, to protect South Korean vessels and oil shipping routes.

At the same time, Lee stressed that South Korea would not take steps that could draw it into the wider US-Iran conflict. His comments came amid recent pressure from the Trump administration for greater involvement.

South Korea has maintained the anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit in the region for years. Lee said the threat posed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to commercial shipping had become a concern.

The Houthis, however, have said they are targeting only assets belonging to neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter.

Speaking about the potential impact on South Korea’s economy and the need to protect the country’s vessels, Lee said, “there will be no troop deployment that involves or intervenes in the war. I can state that clearly.”

Gaza Building Collapse Highlights Shelter Crisis

In Gaza, the collapse of a multistorey building this week has highlighted the difficult conditions faced by Palestinians living amid widespread damage to housing infrastructure.

Many displaced residents have returned to some of the hundreds of thousands of homes damaged during the fighting, despite the dangers posed by weakened foundations and unstable walls.

The building collapse has renewed attention on the condition of shelters nearly a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas raised hopes that reconstruction could begin.

The latest developments underscore the continuing risks around major Middle Eastern shipping routes, South Korea’s efforts to protect its maritime and energy interests without entering the US-Iran conflict, and the difficult living conditions facing Palestinians in Gaza.

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