Türkiye warns against military solutions in Hormuz crisis

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday cautioned against military solutions to the escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, advocating instead for diplomacy to keep the vital global energy chokepoint open. Speaking at Anadolu’s Editor’s Desk program in Ankara, Fidan outlined Türkiye’s positions on several regional flashpoints.

Peaceful reopening essential

“What the entire world wants is that international transit remain free and not be obstructed,” Fidan said. He warned that stability cannot be achieved through force: “Our position is to reopen it through peace. There are many difficulties in intervening here with an international armed peace force.” He added that both the US and Iran appear sincere about a ceasefire and aware of the need for one.

Israel’s regional posture and Syria risks

Fidan also commented on Israel’s strategy, stating: “We see that Israel may seek to designate Türkiye as a new adversary after Iran, as it cannot sustain itself without an enemy.” On Syria, he described the situation as a major security concern, noting that Israel’s current focus on Iran could delay but not rule out future moves against Syria. He also criticized cooperation between Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration, and Israel, arguing it breeds mistrust and conflict. Fidan called for a wider regional security framework based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.