Trump Threatens Fresh Bombing as Iran Rejects Claims of Hormuz Ship Attack

Iran on Thursday denied involvement in an alleged attack on a South Korean cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, while US President Donald Trump warned that military strikes could intensify if negotiations collapse.

The Iranian embassy in Seoul dismissed accusations linking Tehran to the incident involving the Panama-flagged HMM Namu, which caught fire Monday while travelling through the key shipping route with 24 crew members aboard.

In a statement, the embassy said it “firmly rejects and categorically denies” the allegations against Iranian armed forces.

Trump, however, claimed Iran had “taken some shots” at the vessel and called on South Korea to support American-led operations to secure shipping access through the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of escalating tensions after Iran responded to a US-Israeli military campaign launched in February by tightening restrictions on maritime traffic, sending shockwaves through global energy markets.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Trump expressed optimism about ongoing talks with Tehran.

“We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal,” he said.

But the US president also cautioned that failure to reach an agreement could trigger renewed military action.

He warned earlier that bombing would restart “at a much higher level and intensity” if Iran refused to honour the proposed terms.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran was still studying the latest US proposal and would share its response with Pakistan, which has been mediating discussions between both sides.

At the same time, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of using pressure tactics to force Iran into surrender.

He said the United States was attempting “through a naval blockade, economic pressure and media manipulation, to destroy the country’s cohesion in order to force us to surrender.”

Reports from Axios indicated that negotiators were nearing agreement on a memorandum that could end the conflict and create a roadmap for future nuclear talks.

French President Emmanuel Macron also joined diplomatic efforts, urging Iran to halt attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and calling for an immediate end to the blockade in the waterway.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian replied that reopening the strait fully would require the US to first remove its naval blockade.

Meanwhile, tensions continued elsewhere in the region, with Israeli strikes reported in Lebanon and fresh clashes involving Hezbollah fighters.

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