South Korea reviews US call to join operations in the Strait of Hormuz

South Korea is reviewing US calls to join operations in the Strait of Hormuz after an explosion and fire struck a South Korean-operated cargo ship, South Korea's presidential office said on Tuesday.

The development comes amid rising tensions in the region. On Monday, US President Donald Trump said in a social media post that Iran had "taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM," including a South Korean cargo ship, urging Seoul to participate in a US-led mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Later on Tuesday, South Korea's presidential office said it was reviewing the US request, including from the perspective of domestic law.

An explosion and fire occurred Monday on a South Korean-operated vessel anchored inside the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea's foreign ministry said. 

The vessel, HMM NAMU, flying the Panamanian flag, has six South Korean crew members and 18 foreign crew members aboard. All 24 crew members aboard the vessel were unharmed, the ministry said.

The fire has been fully extinguished with no additional damage reported.

The ship will be towed to a nearby port for inspection and possible repairs as the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation, according to the ministry.