Iran Threatens South Korean Assets If Seoul Joins Hormuz Mission

Iran Threatens South Korean Assets If Seoul Joins Hormuz Mission

Middle East Eye

Iranian academic Mohammad Marandi has warned that Tehran would consider South Korea an enemy and could strike its economic and military interests across the Persian Gulf if Seoul joins the US-led war on Iran.

Speaking on Al Mayadeen’s The Grand Standoff, Marandi said South Korea’s involvement in efforts to secure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz would expose its interests in the region to Iranian retaliation.

“If the South Koreans participate in this war against Iran, Iran will see it as the enemy,” Marandi said, adding that Tehran would seek to “destroy whatever assets South Korea has in this region”.

Those targets would not necessarily be military installations, he said, and Iranian strikes could include South Korean assets in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

“So the Koreans are very vulnerable to Iran,” said Marandi. “Iran can hurt them very badly.”

His comments came as South Korea considers potential naval contributions to efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global energy supplies.Various options are under consideration, but no decision has been mad e, South Korea’s presidential office said on Friday. 

The office said general options had been discussed on possible military contributions, including combat participation, noncombat roles and search operations, Al Jazeera reported. “Please be advised that nothing has been decided yet concerning actual contributions,” the presidential office said.

Seoul was considering sending military assets to the region and seeking approval from parliament, South Korean media reported.  Options under consideration included a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and a naval logistics support ship, a report by The Guardian said. 

South Korean broadcasters also reported that a navy explosive ordnance disposal team could be included. Any new deployment of military personnel would have to be reviewed by South Korea’s National Security Council, passed by a resolution of the cabinet and approved by the National Assembly, the presidential office said.

The debate comes as South Korea faces mounting pressure from Washington to join efforts around the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump has blasted Seoul for not backing the US war on Iran and tied the spat to wider strains in the US-South Korea alliance. South Korea also depends heavily on the waterway for its energy supplies. 

Last year, the country depended on shipments traversing Hormuz for 61 percent of its crude oil imports and 54 percent of its naphtha imports.

Marandi said the potential contribution was not likely to be a game-changer in the conflict and said South Korea had little military capability to contribute to the US. “What is a ship or two from South Korea going to do? It’s foolish,” he said.

But he warned that any participation could have economic implications far beyond military assets. “Iran will not only target the South Korean military assets, but Iran could easily destroy their economic assets across the Persian Gulf region,” Marandi said.

Under pressure from Washington, South Korea expanded the deployment of an anti-piracy naval unit from Somalia to waters around the Strait of Hormuz in 2019. 

However, South Korea’s defense minister said in March that any substantially different mission in the strait would require parliamentary consent.

'Beyond your comprehension': US only beginning to understand Gaza militarization

'Beyond your comprehension': US only beginning to understand Gaza militarization, Kushner says

IDAN KWELLER

The United States has only begun to grasp the scale of Gaza's current level of militarization, US envoy Jared Kushner told reporters in Kyiv on Sunday.

“We’re now starting to understand the scope of the militarization of Gaza,” Kushner said. “It is beyond your comprehension, and so demilitarizing it is not going to be easy.”

He also said that the US had worked with Hamas for more than four months, and that the terror group had signed an agreement committing to demilitarization.

“You can’t go in if there’s guns, right? You can’t send the government into a place,” he said.

Turning to Israel, Kushner said Washington and Jerusalem agree on the desired end state, but that political considerations in Israel are complicating the process.

“We’re working through some political issues in Israel. I think we agree with them on the end state,” he said. “They just have a crazy election, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards, but we’re very determined that we’re working through these things.”

Kushner, along with US envoy Steve Witkoff, had arrived in Ukraine on Sunday in order to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss security and diplomacy.

Zelensky said that the talks were "very substantial," adding that they had discussed security and economic guarantees for Ukraine, as well as supplies of air-defense missiles and a winter support package.

He also hoped that trilateral talks, including Ukraine, Russia and the US, would restart soon.

On Saturday, the two Americans had also visited Moscowin order to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Strike on Iranian Missile Launch Site Draws Retaliatory Ballistic Missile Attack

U.S. Strike on Iranian Missile Launch Site Draws Retaliatory Ballistic Missile Attack

Garrison Vance

U.S. forces struck two Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island near the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 30, according to U.S. Central Command, which stated the systems posed a direct threat to shipping.

The strike marked the first known American attacks on Iran since late July, according to a report by the BBC [1]. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack killed and wounded several people and vowed "response and punishment," the report stated [1]. Iran answered the same day by launching ballistic missiles at U.S. personnel stationed in Jordan, according to officials, with no immediate reports of casualties [2].

The exchange revived a question among military observers about the purpose of successive strikes and whether they are trending toward an objective or merely perpetuating a cycle [2]. U.S. officials said the strike was conducted to protect freedom of navigation, while Iranian officials condemned the action as a violation of territorial waters.

The Larak Island facility sits within the Strait of Hormuz, a transit point for about one-fifth of global oil consumption. Recent fighting around the strait has shown how quickly military exchanges can spill into maritime traffic and oil markets, according to an analysis by Antiwar.com [2].

Iran's missile attack on Jordan targeted a base housing U.S. troops, according to a U.S. official, who confirmed damage to infrastructure but no fatalities [2]. Prior incidents in the region since June include drone attacks on commercial vessels and exchange of fire between U.S. and Iran-aligned forces, according to reports [4].

The White House said the strike was a demonstration of resolve, while Tehran vowed to respond to any further attacks on its territory. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran will respond decisively to further attacks, according to a report by Middle East Eye[5]. Senior U.S. military officials have warned that a prolonged high-level conflict risks draining U.S. military might, the same report stated [6].

According to defense analysts, the relationship between tactical strikes and political outcomes is not linear; a successful strike can impose costs on Tehran while simultaneously adding new defensive obligations for Washington [2]. The United States can select targets, but it cannot control where it will bear the consequences of an attack, as demonstrated by the Jordan retaliation and threats to shipping lanes, scholars said [2].

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'The end of the Iranian regime is near,' Netanyahu threatens at government's Rosh Hashanah toast

'The end of the Iranian regime is near,' Netanyahu threatens at government's Rosh Hashanah toast

TOBIAS HOLCMAN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that "the end of the Iranian regime is near," and that its fall would "change the fate of the Middle East and the Jewish people."

Netanyahu also implied that Israel is continuing operations against Iran in order to achieve the fall of the regime, saying that he is "determined to do this."

The prime minister spoke at a Government toast in advance of Rosh Hashanah, where he said that Israel is the strongest it has ever been, while its enemies are weaker than ever.

"Together with the United States, we accomplished tremendous achievements in removing an existential threat from above us. We have removed atomic bombs and ballistic missiles from above us and have hit the Iranian axis with great force," Netanyahu pointed out.

"We are determined to defend ourselves; we are determined to strike our enemies," Netanyahu continued, adding that while neither Iran nor any of Israel's enemies are attacking the country right now, they can "make a mistake," and "suffer a blow they don't even imagine."

He continued his warning against Iran by saying, "Don't mess with us. We know how to unite in times of difficulty, and it is currently the most powerful power in the Middle East."

He then dedicated a part of his speech to the IDF, saying, "From here, I want to bless the heroic soldiers of the IDF and the security branches who labor constantly. We are eliminating terrorists around the clock - in Lebanon, in Gaza, and in Judea and Samaria."

"May the year and its curses end, and may a year with its blessings begin, blessings greater than we have ever had. A happy New Year to the people of Israel," he concluded.

Strong eruption at Anak Krakatau closes 8 airports, disrupts 1 558 flights in Indonesia

Strong eruption at Anak Krakatau closes 8 airports, disrupts 1 558 flights in Indonesia

Rishav Kothari

Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau prompted temporary closures at eight airports across western Indonesia on September 6, 2026. As of 17:06 WIB (10:06 UTC), the Ministry of Transportation reported 1 558 delayed flights and approximately 170 000 affected passengers, while the closures were extended through 24:00 WIB (17:00 UTC). The volcano remained at Level III (Siaga), with a 3 km (2 miles) exclusion zone around its center of activity.

The closures covered Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung.

Budiarto Airport in Curug, Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang, Taufik Kiemas Airport in Pesisir Barat, and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam were also temporarily closed.

Indonesia’s Geological Agency said continuous eruptive activity began at approximately 23:07 WIB on September 4 (16:07 UTC) and continued for several hours. The activity included lava fountains, lava flows, incandescent ejecta, and repeated booming or rumbling sounds.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued its first Significant Meteorological Information report, or SIGMET, shortly after the eruption began. By September 6, the agency had issued 18 SIGMETs related to the eruption and volcanic ash hazard.

BMKG satellite analysis at 08:00 WIB on September 6 (01:00 UTC) identified two volcanic ash clusters extending from Banten, Jakarta, and West Java to Lampung and Bengkulu.

The agency’s latest SIGMET placed eastward-moving ash at altitudes up to approximately 6.1 km (20 000 feet), affecting parts of Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and surrounding waters.

Westward-moving ash was identified at altitudes up to approximately 15 km (50 000 feet). It extended across Banten, Lampung, Bengkulu, the southern Sunda Strait and the Indian Ocean.

The Ministry of Transportation, citing BMKG, said winds at an altitude of approximately 5 km (15 000 feet) had shifted eastward at about 9 km/h (6 mph) after blowing westward earlier in the day.

Authorities designated Kertajati, Juanda and Yogyakarta international airports, along with air

ports in Semarang and Solo, as alternatives for airlines adjusting their operations.

The ministry said free bus and rail transportation would be provided to passengers whose flights were transferred to alternative airports. Airlines were instructed to provide passengers with information about schedule changes and available options.

Anak Krakatau remained at Level III (Siaga), a status in effect since July 2. Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) prohibited residents, visitors, tourists and climbers from entering or conducting activities within 3 km (2 miles) of the volcano’s center of activity.

The Geological Agency identified potential hazards including pyroclastic flows, lava, incandescent ejecta and heavy ashfall. Authorities continued monitoring changes in the volcano’s activity and morphology.