Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said Türkiye would be willing to contribute to mine-clearing efforts in the Strait of Hormuz if requested by the parties involved, saying he remains optimistic about progress in US-Iran negotiations.
“If an agreement is reached between the parties, or if we are asked to contribute to the mine-clearing process, we would be pleased to do so,” Fidan said in an interview with South Korean broadcaster JTBC during his visit to South Korea.
He said Türkiye follows a consistent principle in conflict resolution, including during the Russia-Ukraine war.
When the warring parties agree on a solution, and when we believe we can be part of that solution or are asked to facilitate it, we are ready to help,” he said.
Fidan said he remains optimistic about ending the conflict, noting both the US and Iran want de-escalation.
Asked about US President Donald Trump’s statement that a memorandum of understanding with Iran could be signed within a week, Fidan said he remained cautiously optimistic.
“I am optimistic because I am in regular consultations with both sides, with the mediator Pakistan, and with some other relevant actors in the region.
“We are trying to do our best to help them reach an understanding and an agreement,” he said.
He said technical details remain unresolved, but added that both sides have broadly agreed on the draft framework.
“I hope we will receive good news very soon,” he said.
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‘Above the nuclear file’
Fidan said the Strait of Hormuz issue has become more urgent than the nuclear file due to its global economic and humanitarian impact.
“Due to the current situation, for the first time another issue has become more urgent and has risen above the nuclear file in importance: the condition of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
He warned that prolonged closure could trigger food shortages in parts of Africa and wider global disruption.
Fidan said both Washington and Tehran want to prioritise reopening the strait before broader negotiations.
The minister said a third party is obstructing negotiations, naming Israel, and urged international pressure on Israel to support diplomacy.
“Israel currently believes that any agreement between the US and Iran in its present form would not serve Israeli interests.
“Therefore, they are doing everything they can to derail or sabotage the negotiations.”
Fidan said one of the strongest diplomatic tools available to the international community was demonstrated during last year’s UN General Assembly vote on full membership for a Palestinian state, when 157 countries voted in favour.
