ANKARA / ATHENS — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned against attempts to impose new arrangements on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, stating that introducing an international force to reopen the waterway could face significant difficulties amid the ongoing conflict.
In a televised interview with the state-run Anadolu Agency, Fidan called for resolving the crisis through diplomatic channels, stressing that the strait — through which roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies pass — should not become an additional arena of confrontation. He added that no country wants to be part of a war, referring to the recent escalation between Israel, the United States, and Iran.
Iran had already moved to close the strait in response to US-Israeli strikes, triggering sharp disruptions in energy markets and driving global prices higher. In turn, the United States announced the start of a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and coastal areas, a move aimed at pressuring Tehran to reopen the vital passage, amid clear reluctance from allies to engage in the effort.
Fidan, who has held contacts with US and Iranian officials as well as Pakistani intermediaries, noted that talks between Washington and Tehran had been serious. He cautioned that adopting an all-or-nothing approach regarding uranium enrichment could hinder the chances of reaching an agreement.
He added that one of the most notable challenges lies in the possibility of Iran putting forward new proposals to regulate navigation through the strait, which could signal a shift toward a more hardline role in managing this vital maritime artery.
In a parallel development, diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Greece have escalated following Ankara’s criticism of the growing defense cooperation between Athens, Cyprus, and Israel.
The Greek Foreign Ministry responded in firm terms, stating that the country “owes explanations to no one” regarding its foreign policy choices. It added that such cooperation falls within efforts to enhance regional stability and is not directed against any party.
The Greek statement stressed that Athens remains committed to international law and the principles of good neighborliness, drawing on its position as a member of the European Union and NATO, as well as its participation in the UN Security Council.
By contrast, Fidan described this rapprochement as a “dangerous policy,” arguing that it could heighten tensions rather than consolidate security, and noting that existing frameworks within NATO and the European Union are sufficient to ensure stability.
Greek officials, however, rejected this view, warning that such rhetoric could distort reality and undermine the balance at a sensitive geopolitical juncture.
These developments point to an increasingly complex regional landscape, where crises in the Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean intersect, and where calculations of energy, security, and alliances are deeply intertwined.