Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday called for freedom of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, amid growing concerns over shipping security following a series of incidents involving vessels in and around the strait in recent days. Speaking at a news conference in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, Fidan said freedom of passage must be available in the strait.
Maritime warnings issued after vessel hit in Hormuz
The authority had previously announced other incidents involving vessels in the area, without identifying those responsible. In the context of shipping security, Fidan warned that the war between Russia and Ukraine could spread to the Black Sea, saying that its repercussions reaching the region and threatening the safety of Turkish citizens was unacceptable.
He added that attacks on vessels harm shipping safety and that Turkey had intensified efforts to reach an agreement to end the war. Fidan's remarks coincided with the Russian Defence Ministry's announcement that a dry cargo ship and a roll-on/roll-off ferry designed to transport vehicles had been damaged in overnight attacks at the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk.
Moscow also said its forces had continued targeting railway infrastructure in western Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of using it to transport military shipments from European countries.
