Fidan: Sea routes from Hormuz to Black Sea face threat, Israel blocks peace

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at the TRT World Forum 2026 that attacks on commercial vessels threaten global food and energy security. Fidan stressed that Israel’s expansionist policy and genocide in Palestine are obstacles to lasting peace, while the Mecca Defense Alliance and R4 are strengthening regional cooperation.

The Turkiye Times Editorial DeskNovember 07, 2026, 12:03 PMUpdated: November 07, 2026, 12:45 PM

Fidan: Sea routes from Hormuz to Black Sea face threat, Israel blocks peace

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke during the session titled "The New Geopolitics of Connectivity: Sea Routes, Chokepoints and Corridors" on the second and final day of the TRT World Forum 2026, held in Istanbul. Fidan said attacks on commercial vessels in conflict zones affect not only regional stability but also the free movement of goods, posing a major threat to global food security, particularly for vulnerable countries.

Emphasizing that the same strategic reality applies to the Middle East, Fidan said growing insecurity in the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz was obstructing critical energy flows, adding that disruptions to these sea routes directly affect the global economy, food security and energy security.

"A pipeline can become an instrument of pressure"

Fidan noted that as global connectivity increases, energy is transported through multiple chokepoints, and cited the Black Sea as an example: "As we have seen in the Black Sea, a sea corridor can become a battlefield and a pipeline can become an instrument of pressure. A single chokepoint can affect economies thousands of kilometers away."

In the video, Fidan explains that connectivity itself can become a strategic concern in such circumstances. Fidan said countries naturally seek to secure access to raw materials and markets, and that insecurity and competition increase when this access is jeopardized. "We must not allow this to happen," he said.

"Israel continues its genocide in Palestine"

Fidan said obstacles to sea routes and trade corridors are part of a larger regional dynamic and strongly criticized Israel: "Israel is trying to expand its policy. It continues its attacks on neighboring countries and its genocide in Palestine. For this reason, it is an obstacle to sustainable and lasting peace in the region."

In the video segment, Fidan stressed that preventing an escalation of tensions in the region is extremely urgent and that ensuring the security of the geography on which the global economy depends is vital.

Emphasis on the Mecca Defense Alliance and R4

Fidan also addressed regional cooperation mechanisms, saying: "The Mecca Defense Alliance, which brings together Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, aims to strengthen cooperation in collective defense. The R4 mechanism, comprising Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, provides a broader platform for developing joint solutions to regional problems and advancing cooperation."

The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement was held in Istanbul, and the alliance was named the "Mecca Defense Alliance." Fidan said at the time that the alliance did not target any country and was open to all countries in the region. The latest meeting in the R4 format was held in Istanbul on October 23, hosted by Fidan, with the participation of the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

In the video, Fidan explains the different functions of the two structures: The Mecca Defense Alliance focuses on collective defense, while R4 provides a broader basis for seeking common solutions to regional problems.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also delivered strong messages on Gaza at the opening of this year’s 10th forum, held at the Istanbul Congress Center under the theme "A Decentered World: Who Leads When the Rules No Longer Apply?"

Videos: TRT World Forum. Photo: Wikimedia Commons (archive)

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Fidan: Sea routes from Hormuz to Black Sea face threat, Israel blocks peace