Turkish transport ministry addresses ship movement near the Strait of Hormuz

Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu confirmed that 15 Turkish-owned vessels were initially waiting near the Strait of Hormuz. One vessel, the Rozana, was granted permission by Iranian authorities to pass through the strait after utilizing an Iranian port. Ankara remains in contact with Iranian officials regarding the status of the remaining 14 Turkish-owned ships, which are currently accompanied by a total of 171 crew members. The Turkish government has issued a high-level security warning for the area. Concurrently, Turkish Airlines, Ajet, and Pegasus Airlines have suspended flights to several Middle Eastern destinations, including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and various cities in the Gulf, through March 19 and 20. Reports indicate that regional tensions have hindered transit through the Strait of Hormuz, causing potential concerns for the global energy supply.