Turkish FM Fidan meets Kuwaiti counterpart in Ankara

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Ankara on Monday, according to a Foreign Ministry statement on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal. The meeting took place as part of Al-Sabah’s visit to Türkiye. No further information about the agenda or outcomes was immediately released.

Context of the meeting

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region following the US-Israeli war on Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and ongoing US naval blockade activities. Kuwait, like Türkiye, is a key energy producer and US ally, but has sought to maintain neutrality in the Iran conflict. Ankara and Kuwait have historically enjoyed strong economic and political ties, with Turkish companies active in Kuwaiti infrastructure projects. The two ministers likely discussed the security situation in the Gulf, energy market stability, and the potential for bilateral trade expansion.

Türkiye-Kuwait relations

Kuwait has been an important partner for Türkiye in the Gulf, with bilateral trade volume reaching approximately $1 billion in recent years. Turkish defense firms have also supplied drones and armored vehicles to Kuwait. The meeting may have addressed the impact of the Hormuz closure on Kuwaiti oil exports and Turkish imports, as well as coordination on humanitarian aid for Gaza and Lebanon. Ankara values Kuwait’s mediating role in Gulf disputes and may have sought Kuwait’s support for Turkish-led initiatives.