Said Kouzechi, the Iranian Ambassador to Korea, is seen speaking to reporters as he leaves the annex building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 27th, after being summoned in relation to the attack on the HMM Namu vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. [Yonhap News]

Regarding the attack on the Namu vessel, Said Kouzechi, the Iranian Ambassador to Korea, who was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 27th, claimed, "Iran denies all involvement in this matter" and "We were absolutely not involved."

Ambassador Kouzechi stated this to reporters waiting for him as he left after meeting with Park Yoon-joo, the First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the same day, speaking through an interpreter.

He also said, "I would like to express my personal regret for the damage that occurred to this Korean vessel."

However, when asked if he acknowledged the South Korean government's investigation findings or if the Iranian government would apologize, he denied any involvement, stating, "We must be wary of false flag operations by hostile nations."

He also made remarks to the effect that "piracy has occurred in that region (Strait of Hormuz), and these incidents are a consequence of the actions of the US regime and the Israeli Zionist regime."

Furthermore, he mentioned the deaths of several students in a bombing at an elementary school in Minab, Iran, and suggested that the United States could be responsible for the attack on the Namu vessel, stating, "Could it not be possible that such events are occurring due to deceptive operations by the United States?"

Ambassador Kouzechi asserted, "What you all need to know is that the current state of tension in the Middle East is due to the US regime and aggression," adding, "Iran has a great interest in ensuring the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz."

On the same day, Ambassador Kouzechi met with Vice Minister Park for approximately 40 minutes. He reported that he and Vice Minister Park "talked a lot about bilateral relations and discussed the development of relations between the two countries."

Earlier in the day, as Ambassador Kouzechi entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, he did not respond to reporters' questions about whether the attack was intentional, if he intended to apologize, or if a country other than Iran was responsible for the attack.

Prior to this, on the 4th, Vice Minister Park announced the investigation findings related to the attack on the HMM Namu vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "Various evidence points towards Iran," and "We will summon the ambassador to convey our strong protest regarding the attack on our vessel and demand responsible action."