South Korean authorities will investigate the cause of an explosion and fire on the Panama-flagged cargo ship HMM Namu, operated by South Korean firm HMM, after the incident occurred while the vessel was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated the fire has been extinguished, there were no casualties, and the 35,000-ton ship will be towed to a nearby port for damage assessment and repairs.

The vessel's 24 crew members remain on board, and initial reports indicate the fire originated in the engine room, according to an HMM spokesperson, who cited surveillance footage confirming the blaze was contained. British maritime risk firm Vanguard said investigators will examine whether the damage resulted from an attack, a drifting sea mine, or another external cause.

In a post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Iran fired on the ship and other targets, asserting the incident justified a U.S.-led operation to secure the strategic waterway. He urged South Korea to join a naval effort to escort commercial vessels through the strait, a key route for global oil and gas shipments.

South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has directed its vessels in the region to relocate to safer areas and is coordinating with shipping companies, as 26 South Korean-flagged ships remain stranded near the strait. The government has not confirmed Trump's claims and previously stated that any deployment of naval assets would require legislative approval.

The investigation into the fire's origin is ongoing, with officials expected to release findings after the vessel arrives at port; South Korean authorities will continue consultations with international partners and shipping operators to assess maritime safety in the region.