Media: Türkiye to block military ships from passing through straits

Türkiye will not allow military vessels to pass through its strategic straits in violation of the Montreux Convention, a Turkish government source told Russia’s RIA Novosti, rejecting media reports that Ankara had come under pressure from NATO over the issue.

“Ankara is closely monitoring compliance with the Montreux Convention and will not allow it to be circumvented,” the source said, adding that Türkiye would continue to adhere strictly to its international obligations governing the passage of military vessels through the Turkish Straits.

The Montreux Convention, an international agreement signed in 1936, regulates the passage of civilian and military vessels through Türkiye’s Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits and gives Ankara significant authority over the movement of warships, particularly during wartime.

The statement follows reports of temporary restrictions on vessel movements in the Black Sea and surrounding waterways.

Bloomberg reported on August 8 that Türkiye had restricted the movement of commercial vessels in the Black Sea. The restrictions were reportedly lifted on August 10.

Meanwhile, Turkish newspaper Aydinlik reported that around 10 vessels had not received permission from Turkish authorities to leave the Dardanelles. It said similar restrictions could be applied at ports in the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.

Türkiye has also called on Russia and Ukraine to agree to a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea, according to the reports.

The Turkish government has not indicated that it intends to change its policy on the passage of military vessels through the straits, emphasising instead that Ankara's actions are based on its obligations under the Montreux Convention.

By Sabina Mammadli