Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday his country is prepared to contribute to demining efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, speaking at the opening of the NATO summit he is hosting in Ankara.
The offer follows earlier remarks in April by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said Ankara could take part in post-conflict mine-clearing operations in the strategic waterway if a peace agreement is reached between the United States and Iran. Fidan had described such efforts as a humanitarian duty Turkey views positively in principle, while cautioning that Ankara would not join any mission risking entanglement in renewed military conflict.
Erdogan’s pledge came alongside similar offers from other NATO members. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said his country was ready to send demining experts to help secure freedom of navigation through the strait, framing the offer as a matter of alliance solidarity.
The renewed focus on Hormuz security follows the collapse of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, after President Trump said Tuesday he considered the truce over following attacks on commercial vessels in the strait. U.S. strikes on Iran in response pushed Brent crude prices up nearly $4 a barrel to over $78.
The demining discussions form part of a broader, contentious NATO summit in Ankara, which has also featured Trump’s renewed calls for U.S. control of Greenland — rejected by Denmark, Norway and other allies — and his threat to cut off trade with Spain over its defense spending stance.
