Türkiye says 11 vessels safely exited Gulf via Hormuz since war began

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Tuesday that 11 Turkish-owned vessels have safely navigated the Strait of Hormuz and departed the Gulf since hostilities erupted in late February. The minister stated on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal that Ankara is tracking developments in the strategic waterway "moment by moment," maintaining continuous contact with ship crews and Turkish nationals in the area. Two additional vessels completed their transit on the morning of June 21, bringing the total to 11, according to the minister's statement.

Remaining vessels under watch

Seven Turkish-owned ships remain in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf region, carrying 177 Turkish citizens on board, Uraloglu noted. Only one of these vessels sails under the Turkish flag, while the others operate under different registries. "Türkiye will continue to take all necessary measures under all circumstances to ensure the safety of its citizens and ships," the minister said, emphasizing Ankara's commitment to maritime security.

Previous evacuations and context

In April, Uraloglu announced that the Turkish-owned crude oil tanker Ocean Thunder had safely transited the strait while carrying crude oil from Iraq to Malaysia, with assistance from the Foreign Ministry. Several Turkish-owned vessels had been waiting near the waterway at that time as authorities worked to coordinate safe passage for ships and their crews. The region has remained tense since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, prompting Iranian retaliation through missile strikes and restrictions on maritime traffic through the vital chokepoint.

Strategic waterway

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a critical artery for global energy shipments, with significant portions of the world's oil supply passing through the narrow channel. More than 3,000 people have been killed in the conflict since late February, including Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ongoing hostilities have disrupted commercial shipping patterns and raised concerns about energy security across multiple continents.