Iran US war: South Korea rules out deploying military at Strait of Hormuz; US announces reward for information on Iran
In a major development, South Korea has ruled out deploying military troops in the US war with Iran. President Lee Jae-Myung said South Korea would not deploy military personnel to intervene in the US war with Iran, which could draw the country into the conflict, according to a local media report. Speaking at a press conference, Lee acknowledged that the government would take minimal measures to safeguard South Korean merchant ships and oil transport routes, but would not participate directly in the war. The president’s comments came amid public pressure and recent protests against military deployment in the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier on Thursday, the US Senate announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that could disrupt the financial networks of Iran’s IRGC and its Quds Force.
The reward programme targets Iran’s illegal oil-for-money schemes, front companies and entities assisting the regime in evading sanctions, as well as formal financial institutions and donors directly backing the IRGC’s regional terrorist proxies.
“The IRGC uses digital asset exchanges to launder money, fund terrorism, and retain covert access to international financial systems,” it said in a post on X. “Help disrupt these illegal transactions. Send us a tip.”
US President Trump said he was facing a choice over whether to “annihilate” Iran, adding that “anything could happen”, before reiterating his claim that he was in touch with Tehran officials about a potential deal to end the war.
Elsewhere in Lebanon, Israeli forces have carried out a series of airstrikes. Israeli aircraft struck Talloussah and launched two attacks on the Jinjil area of al-Qantara on Thursday evening. A separate airstrike targeting Nabatieh al-Fawqa was also reported, while Israeli forces fired illumination flares from the northern parts of Yater and Beit Lif.
According to a report, China has upgraded an overseas military base in the Horn of Africa to expand its intelligence-gathering capabilities and monitor military activity.
Satellite imagery shows new communications equipment installed at China’s support base in Djibouti, along with upgraded infrastructure aimed at improving intelligence-gathering capabilities.
The base sits along the Gulf of Aden near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, just miles from Camp Lemonnier, the main US military base in Africa.