South Korea’s first military move? Navy ships head to Hormuz.

South Korea is preparing to send naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would make it one of the first U.S. allies to join military patrols in the vital oil route, according to observers. Under pressure from Washington, Seoul has reportedly drafted plans to deploy a naval logistics support ship and P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to the strait. The P-8A is a long-range surveillance plane used to track ships and submarines. If the plan goes ahead, it would mark South Korea’s first military dispatch to the region. The strait is a narrow passage between Iran and Oman through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes. South Korea has not made a final decision. The government is weighing the diplomatic and security risks of stepping into a tense area where the U.S. and Iran have clashed in recent months. Observers say the move would signal Seoul’s willingness to back U.S. security efforts, but it could also strain ties with Iran, a major oil supplier to South Korea.