South Korean President Lee Jae-myung firmly rejected any military deployment to the Middle East that could involve his country in the conflict with Iran during a news conference on Friday.

Lee emphasized that Seoul would not send troops or dispatch military assets in a manner that intervenes in the war. "There will be no deployment that involves or intervenes in the war. I can state that clearly," he said.

The announcement comes amid pressure from the Trump administration for greater allied support in the U.S.-led campaign against Iran. Trump had previously complained that he asked Lee "to give us a little hand" in the conflict while reminding him of the U.S. military presence in South Korea.

South Korea maintains the Cheonghae naval unit off the coast of Somalia for anti-piracy operations. Lee indicated the government is reviewing options to expand its role in protecting commercial shipping and oil routes, potentially moving assets closer to the Red Sea or Strait of Hormuz, but stressed these efforts would focus solely on safeguarding Korean vessels and nationals without participating in combat operations.

"It is also clear that we must do the minimum as other countries do to protect our commercial shipping and crude shipments, and also the safety of our people," Lee said.

The decision aligns with domestic sentiment, as polls and protests have shown opposition to deeper military involvement in the region. South Korea has historically avoided combat roles in overseas conflicts beyond its anti-piracy mission.

This stance highlights ongoing tensions in the U.S.-South Korea alliance, as Washington seeks broader contributions from partners while Seoul prioritizes avoiding entanglement in the Iran conflict. The government continues to balance energy security concerns with its principle of non-intervention.