Third Turkish-owned tanker clears Hormuz amid ongoing Mideast war

A third vessel flying the Turkish flag has successfully exited the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint now overshadowed by military escalation. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that the crude oil tanker Ocean Thunder, en route from Iraq to Malaysia, completed its transit without incident. The safe passage followed close coordination between Ankara’s transport ministry and the foreign ministry, demonstrating Türkiye’s ability to protect its maritime interests amid regional turmoil.

Steady reduction of waiting ships

According to Uraloglu, the number of Turkish-owned vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz has now dropped to 12. Eight of these ships have formally submitted departure requests, and authorities are working nonstop to secure their safe transit along with the 156 crew members on board. The minister stressed that monitoring efforts remain active, with the ministry tracking the situation of all Turkish sailors and ships in the conflict zone alongside the foreign ministry and other relevant institutions.

Wider conflict shakes Gulf region

The heightened alert status along the Strait dates back to Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint military offensive against Iran. The campaign has so far claimed more than 1,340 lives, including Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Tehran has carried out drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US military assets. As part of its retaliation, Iran has also restricted ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz, making Ankara’s successful vessel transits all the more significant.