(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on April. 7)

## Summary
Brinkmanship only deepens Hormuz standoff Seoul should launch diplomacy to help end the energy crisis The Strait of Hormuz crisis shows no signs of ending. In an interconnected global economy, every nation — including the United States and Iran — will bear the consequences of the Middle East conflict if a ceasefire is not reached soon. President Donald Trump lashed out at Iran in an obscenity-filled social media post, demanding that Tehran reopen the crucial waterway through which nearly 20 percent of global crude oil shipments pass. "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. Approximately 70 percent of its crude oil and 20 percent of its natural gas imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

## Article Content
Brinkmanship only deepens Hormuz standoff

Seoul should launch diplomacy to help end the energy crisis

The Strait of Hormuz crisis shows no signs of ending. Washington and Tehran continue to exchange barbs, with neither side signaling a willingness to back down. Their confrontation is taking a toll on the global economy. Oil prices have skyrocketed, sending shockwaves across industries and stoking fears of rising inflation worldwide.

As long as the current standoff persists, no country stands to gain. In an interconnected global economy, every nation — including the United States and Iran — will bear the consequences of the Middle East conflict if a ceasefire is not reached soon.

U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Iran in an obscenity-filled social media post, demanding that Tehran reopen the crucial waterway through which nearly 20 percent of global crude oil shipments pass. "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" he wrote. He warned that if Iran failed to meet the Tuesday deadline, the U.S. would destroy Iran's power plants and bridges and they would "be living in Hell."

Iran dismissed Trump's warning. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of Iran's central military command described the threat as a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action," adding that "the gates of hell will open" for the United States.

Meanwhile, Iran has continued selectively reopening the strait. On Friday, several vessels successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, including a French container ship, three Oman-linked tankers and a Japanese-owned gas carrier. In contrast, South Korea-linked vessels are still unable to transit.

Iran's disruption of shipping through the strait has contributed to the surge in global oil prices. Tehran appears to believe that its effective control over the waterway serves its interests in two key ways: financially and psychologically. It is reportedly seeking to extract tolls from vessels in exchange for safe passage, potentially using the revenue to rebuild its war-damaged industries. At the same time, Iran seems intent on leveraging the disruption to shift global opinion, portraying U.S.-Israeli strikes as the root cause of economic instability and thereby undermining U.S. leadership. In this sense, Iran uses the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a cognitive warfare tactic to outmaneuver its enemies.

So far, this strategy has had some effect. Countries — particularly those most affected by the disruption — have begun voicing concern over the broader Middle East conflict. However, it would be a mistake for Iran to continue leveraging the strait in this way.

Global backlash is already emerging. The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote on a Bahrain-sponsored resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The vote has been repeatedly delayed, and the outcome remains uncertain. China, a permanent member of the council, has publicly opposed the measure, arguing that it could legitimize the "unlawful and indiscriminate use of force," potentially escalating tensions further.

Even if the resolution fails to pass, such international efforts are significant. They increase pressure on Iran to abide by international norms. Additional global initiatives may follow, as Iran's interference with a vital maritime corridor appears to violate established principles of freedom of navigation.

South Korea is among the countries most affected by Iran's control of the waterway. Approximately 70 percent of its crude oil and 20 percent of its natural gas imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Heavily dependent on oil imports to sustain its economy, Korea's future is deeply tied to the stability of this route.

Seoul must make its voice heard. As a nation heavily dependent on the strait, South Korea is well-positioned to lead a coordinated international effort to ensure its reopening. By working with other middle-power countries that share a stake in maintaining open shipping lanes, it can amplify calls for freedom of navigation and increase pressure on Iran. At the same time, it could pursue direct diplomatic engagement with Tehran to secure safe passage for South Korea-linked vessels.

More broadly, Seoul should adopt a proactive and creative diplomatic strategy to help resolve the crisis.

(END)

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Tehran appears to believe that its effective control over the waterway serves its interests in two key ways: financially and psychologically.
- Even if the resolution fails to pass, such international efforts are significant.

### Areas for Consideration
- Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of Iran's central military command described the threat as a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action," adding that "the gates of hell will open" for the United States.
- Countries — particularly those most affected by the disruption — have begun voicing concern over the broader Middle East conflict.

### Implications
- Brinkmanship only deepens Hormuz standoff Seoul should launch diplomacy to help end the energy crisis The Strait of Hormuz crisis shows no signs of ending.
- In an interconnected global economy, every nation — including the United States and Iran — will bear the consequences of the Middle East conflict if a ceasefire is not reached soon.
- President Donald Trump lashed out at Iran in an obscenity-filled social media post, demanding that Tehran reopen the crucial waterway through which nearly 20 percent of global crude oil shipments pass. "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.
- There will be nothing like it!!!" he wrote.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers iran, strait, global topics. Notable strengths include discussion of iran. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 684.