Uraloğlu: 15 Turkish Vessels Stranded in the Strait of Hormuz
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Following the alarming intelligence reports of “ghost” mining operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu provided a critical status update on March 11, 2026, regarding Turkish assets and personnel currently caught in the conflict zone.
Status of Turkish Maritime Assets
Minister Uraloğlu confirmed that 15 Turkish-flagged or Turkish-owned vessels are currently waiting in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz due to the escalated security risks. Despite the blockades and mining threats, the Minister offered a reassuring message regarding the safety of the crews.
“We are in constant contact with all personnel on these ships. There are currently no issues regarding their safety. We are monitoring the situation very closely,” Uraloğlu stated.
The ministry is reportedly coordinating with international maritime safety organizations to determine the safest windows for these vessels to either exit the Persian Gulf or remain in protected anchorages until minesweeping operations can be verified.
Aviation and Land Routes: THY and Pegasus Status
While the maritime situation remains tense, Minister Uraloğlu provided updates on other transportation sectors impacted by the U.S.-Israel-Iran war:
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Aviation: Several Turkish Airlines (THY) and Pegasus aircraft remain on the ground in Iran. While the flight crews have been successfully evacuated back to Türkiye, the aircraft remain grounded. Their retrieval will depend entirely on the “trajectory of the war” and the safety of the Iranian airspace.
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Land Routes: In contrast to the sea and air blockades, highway transit remains largely functional. Uraloğlu noted that land crossings between Türkiye and Iran are currently continuing without significant disruptions, providing a vital corridor for humanitarian and essential trade.
Strategic Monitoring of the Conflict
The Ministry of Transport is operating in a “crisis management” mode, balancing the need to maintain trade flow with the absolute priority of personnel safety. The stranded aircraft and ships represent a significant economic stake, but the Minister emphasized that no movement will be authorized that puts Turkish lives at risk.