The government said it concluded that an unidentified flying object that attacked the Korean HMM cargo ship Namuho anchored in the Strait of Hormuz was likely a Noor-series anti-ship missile developed by Iran based on a technical analysis. Noor is an Iranian anti-ship missile modified from China's C-802.
On the 27th, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Park Yun-ju held a briefing on the Namuho attack investigation results at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in the Government Complex Seoul annex, and said that an analysis of the debris of the flying object that attacked the Namuho found that the engine was similar to an Iranian-made turbojet engine and that markings presumed to be from an Iranian manufacturer were identified on parts.
Vice Minister Park added that the warhead was presumed to be a dud with its shape relatively intact and resembled the warhead shape of Iran's Noor or Qader anti-ship missiles, and that the explosive was a high explosive in an unexploded state that had not fully detonated. Qader is known as a modified version that extends the range of the Noor missile.
Park went on to say that the airframe debris was painted sky blue, which matches the coating and color of Iran's Noor-series anti-ship missiles, and that the debris was presumed to have been produced about 20 to 30 years ago, leading to the assessment that, considering the production year, it was likely an older-model Noor missile.
In response to a question asking whether Iran was behind the Namuho attack, Vice Minister Park said that various pieces of evidence point toward Iran. Park added that the government plans to summon the Iranian ambassador to Korea to explain the investigation results and demand responsible measures, including steps to prevent a recurrence.
As for the perpetrator, Park said it is very difficult to specifically identify the entity given the internal situation in Iran. This is interpreted to mean it is difficult to determine whether it was carried out by the Iranian regular military or the Revolutionary Guard, or by Houthi rebels and militias backed by Iran.
The announcement is a follow-up released 17 days after the government issued its first investigation results on May 10. In the first announcement, the government disclosed only that two unidentified flying objects struck the Namuho. It did not identify the type of aircraft or the perpetrator. After the announcement, while keeping in mind that Iran might be involved based on circumstances, the government did not directly point to Iran, saying further investigation was needed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently brought the flying object debris into Korea on May 15 and conducted a detailed forensics examination at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The Ministry of National Defense dispatched a technical analysis team to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the Namuho was towed, to conduct an on-site forensics examination of hull punctures and other damage.