Trump says Iran hit Korean ship; fire erupts in Hormuz
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- Trump said Iran fired at the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu and urged Seoul to join the U.S. operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- South Korean foreign ministry confirmed a fire and explosion on May 4 aboard the Panama‑flagged HMM Namu, with 24 crew members, six Korean, and no reported casualties.
- HMM Namu suffered an engine‑room blaze that halted its voyage; investigators were still determining the cause.
- UAE oil port was set ablaze after an Iranian strike, highlighting the broader regional escalation.
- U.S. Navy was tasked to guide commercial vessels through the Hormuz Strait amid the crisis, while Iran warned it would attack U.S. forces entering the waterway.
Why it matters: South Korean shipping firms lose revenue as 26 vessels are stranded and insurance premiums rise, while U.S. naval operations cost millions and risk further oil market disruptions.
