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South Korea Reportedly Says Evidence Points to Iranian Missile in Hormuz Ship Attack

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South Korea said Wednesday that evidence from a government investigation suggests an Iranian anti-ship missile was likely used in an attack earlier this month on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, news outlets reported on Wednesday.

The May 4 attack on the bulk carrier Namu, operated by South Korean shipping company HMM, caused a fire and damaged the ship's lower stern hull. Investigators reportedly found debris inside the vessel and concluded the ship had been struck twice. Officials said the first warhead failed to detonate, while the second exploded.

"Various pieces of evidence point toward Iran," First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo reportedly said in a briefing, adding that Seoul had not definitively determined who carried out the attack or whether it was intentional.

The ministry said debris recovered from the ship pointed to Iranian-made systems, including engines resembling Iranian turbojets and warheads similar to those used in Iran's Noor or Qader anti-ship missiles.

News outlets said Iran denied any involvement in the attack. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to' requests for comment.

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