ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s top diplomat voiced alarm Monday over the possibility that Iran or the United States might implement fresh restrictions governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while expressing skepticism about plans to reopen the crucial waterway using an international military presence.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan – who maintains regular communication with American, Iranian and Pakistani mediator officials – told the state-run Anadolu Agency that diplomatic solutions should be pursued to reopen Hormuz following unsuccessful weekend negotiations between Washington and Tehran that failed to produce a war-ending agreement.
The minister emphasized that negotiators must employ “convincing methods” when engaging with Iran and stressed the urgent need to reopen Hormuz quickly, noting that “nobody wants” the strategic passage to become entangled in the ongoing conflict.
“There are many difficulties to intervening here with an international armed force. Especially as the war continues, how much will it narrow, expand? We see many countries are not keen on this,” Fidan stated.
“The problem is whether there will be proposals on new regulations from now on, particularly from Iran,” which might choose to become “more active” regarding the strait, he explained.
Iran effectively sealed off Hormuz in response to American-Israeli military strikes, blocking approximately one-fifth of worldwide energy shipments and causing fuel costs to surge dramatically.
Beginning Monday, American military officials announced plans to implement a comprehensive blockade targeting all shipping traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal regions. The United States has requested assistance from international partners to help reopen the strait, though allies have shown little enthusiasm for the proposal.
Fidan characterized both American and Iranian negotiators as “sincere” during ceasefire discussions, but warned they might face obstacles if they take an “all-or-nothing” approach to addressing Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities.
According to sources, Fidan held discussions Sunday with American and Pakistani representatives participating in the diplomatic talks.
