Türkiye-Led Diplomatic Push Seeks to Ease Iran Conflict and Reopen Hormuz

October 24, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have called for a negotiated resolution to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran and the full resumption of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as regional tensions threaten international shipping and the flow of energy supplies.

The four countries’ foreign ministers made the appeal during a meeting in Istanbul on October 23, 2026, under the R4 Group, according to a joint statement. They called for continued diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation and welcomed ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.

The ministers expressed support for the Islamabad memorandum of understanding and urged the parties to address the conflict through dialogue, while avoiding attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and vessels. The statement did not detail the memorandum’s provisions or announce a new agreement.

The group stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security, calling for the swift and full resumption of safe, secure and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Disruptions to maritime routes threaten global supply chains and the movement of energy, fertiliser and food, the ministers said, warning of consequences for vulnerable populations in the Middle East and other regions. They rejected measures or restrictions that impair lawful navigation and called for collective international efforts to protect maritime security.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for international energy shipments, making its security a concern for energy markets and countries dependent on imported fuel.

The ministers also addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling for an end to Israeli military operations, settlement activities and violence against Palestinians. They reiterated support for a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967, lines, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.

They called for uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to Gaza and support for reconstruction, while opposing actions they said threatened Jerusalem’s legal and historical status.

On Yemen, the four countries condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

They expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognised government of Yemen, urging the Houthi movement to halt military actions and return to the political process.

The ministers agreed to maintain close consultation and coordination on the issues discussed. Their statement, however, did not set out a timetable for implementing the calls for de-escalation or specify concrete measures to restore unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: FSX Business News