Turkiye Weighs Hormuz Demining Role as Iran-US Peace Talks Advance
Ankara-Türkiye may participate in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz if a peace agreement is reached between Iran and the United States, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, signaling Ankara’s willingness to support efforts to restore safe maritime navigation in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Speaking to reporters in London on Friday evening, Fidan said a multinational technical team was expected to oversee demining operations in the strait following any formal Iran-U.S. agreement, adding that Ankara viewed such participation positively as a humanitarian responsibility.
He said Türkiye would have “no problem” taking part in mine-clearing efforts if they were conducted under an internationally coordinated and neutral framework designed to ensure maritime safety rather than military advantage.
Fidan stressed that any operation would depend on the structure of the future coalition and the political conditions surrounding it.He cautioned that Ankara would reassess its position if any technical coalition involved in demining later became party to renewed military confrontation, indicating that Türkiye would avoid joining any mission that could compromise its diplomatic neutrality.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments and serving as a critical route for energy exports from Gulf producers to international markets.
Tensions around the strait escalated sharply after the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28, followed by Tehran’s retaliatory actions and effective restrictions on navigation through the narrow waterway, pushing global energy prices higher and raising fears of broader regional disruption.
Washington said last week it had begun demining work in coordination with Tehran, although Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed such cooperation.Several countries, including European naval powers, have since indicated readiness to contribute to a neutral maritime security mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation and preventing further disruption to global shipping.
Germany has already announced plans to deploy a minesweeper to the Mediterranean in preparation for a possible Hormuz mission, while French and British defense officials have also signaled support for coordinated action.
Fidan also said he believed issues related to Iran’s nuclear program could be resolved during the next round of diplomatic talks expected to take place in Islamabad, where both Washington and Tehran are expected to send envoys.
Türkiye has sought to position itself as a balancing actor in the wider Middle East conflict, maintaining dialogue with both Western allies and regional powers while emphasizing de-escalation and diplomatic settlement over direct military involvement.
Its potential role in Hormuz demining reflects Ankara’s broader strategy of supporting regional stability without becoming directly entangled in confrontation.
