Iran has signaled it has no intention to negotiate the release of the South Koran fuel tanker that the Iranian military seized earlier this week in the Strait of Hormuz. Korean media quoted a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry that said there was agreement on “any form of visit” by Korean government officials and that “There is no need for a diplomatic visit,” the Chosun Ilbo reported. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps of Iran seized Korean-flagged Hankuk Chemi earlier this week claiming it was polluting the Persian Gulf. It was then delivered to an Iranian port and the crew held. In response to the move, South Korea sent a 300-strong anti-piracy squad to the Strait of Hormuz and demanded the vessel’s release. Iran, in turn, said, as carried by the Chosun, “The [Korean] government’s behavior in this regard is not understandable and is rejected.” The Foreign Ministry also […]