Foreign Minister Cho Hyun sidestepped questions Tuesday on whether the United States had formally asked South Korea to deploy warships to the Middle East as Seoul faces pressure after U.S. President Donald Trump urged allies to send naval vessels to protect the Strait of Hormuz. Cho gave vague answers during a parliamentary session when asked by lawmakers if the government had received any formal or informal request from Washington about sending troops to the region to aid U.S. military actions against Iran. "It may or may not be considered a request," Cho said at the National Assembly. "As for whether there have been discussions with the U.S. about troop deployment itself, it is difficult for me to comment at this time." Trump renewed his call Monday (U.S. time) for South Korea, Japan and other allies and partners whose "economies depend on" the vital waterway to join U.S. efforts to keep the shipping route open, saying the U.S. has long provided security protection to those countries. Trump's remarks were seen as reinforcing pressure on allies and partners to help his country secure th