First Turkish-owned ship passes through Strait of Hormuz as others remain stranded

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the first Turkish-owned vessel has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, while dozens of ships remain stranded amid disruptions caused by the ongoing regional conflict.

Speaking to journalists, Uraloglu said one of the 15 Turkish-owned ships in the Strait of Hormuz had been allowed to pass after it had previously used an Iranian port, Türkiye Today reports.

“Fourteen Turkish-owned ships are still there, and we are in constant contact,” he said.

The minister noted that several vessels remain stuck in the strategic waterway with passengers on board.

“Six of them are cruise ships waiting together with their passengers,” Uraloglu added.

Earlier on March 11, speaking to reporters before the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting, Uraloglu said Turkish authorities were maintaining close communication with the crews of the ships.

“There are 15 Turkish-owned ships in the Strait of Hormuz. We are in contact with all their personnel,” he said. “They are at a waiting point. Their only difficulty is being there; otherwise, there is no problem in meeting their needs.”

Regional tensions have escalated since Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. According to Iranian authorities, the strikes have killed more than 1,200 people, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Tehran also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz around March 1.

The strategic waterway normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil shipments each day and roughly 20% of the global liquefied natural gas trade.

Analysts warn that a prolonged disruption in the strait, which carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies and around one-third of fertilizer shipments used in food production, could severely affect the global economy, particularly in Asia and Europe.

On March 2, Tehran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for oil tankers, in response to the US-Israeli war against Iran. The move has driven up shipping and insurance costs and pushed global oil prices higher, raising concerns about potential economic repercussions worldwide.

Some 1,300 people have been killed and more than 10,000 injured in airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran since Feb. 28, according to Iranian authorities.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Iraq and Gulf countries that host US military assets.

By Vafa Guliyeva