Türkiye hosts regional foreign ministers to discuss Hormuz, Yemen and Iran

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Talks will be held in Istanbul on Friday between the foreign ministers of three major European countries and their counterparts from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt, at the initiative of Ankara, according to a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The source explained that the foreign ministers of the so-called “E3” group, which includes Britain, France, and Germany, will meet their counterparts from the “R4” group and discuss the Palestinian issue, developments in Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz, and ways to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to what was reported by Agence France-Presse.

In addition, the diplomatic source said on Thursday that the seven countries will meet in this format for the first time, while the wars in Iran, Yemen and Ukraine threaten shipping routes and regional security.

He expected the ministers to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz, developments related to Yemen, efforts made to end the Russian-Ukrainian war, and opportunities to enhance cooperation between the countries of the region and European countries.

In addition, the source pointed out that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to stress the necessity of reaching a diplomatic solution to the war between the United States and Iran, the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, and to renew Turkey’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security in the face of attacks by the Houthi militias, in accordance with the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed between Türkiye, Pakistan and the Kingdom.

He also added that Hakan will also inform his counterparts that Ankara is working to prevent the war in Ukraine from spreading to the Black Sea, and that he will point out the regional security risks posed by the conflict, according to Reuters.

This meeting comes amid growing fears internationally about the eruption of a new round of war between America and Israel on the one hand and Iran on the other, due to the impact of American-Israeli preparations in the region.