Briefly

Turkey's Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu told TRT Haber that Iran has allowed one vessel owned by Turkish owners to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Another 14 such ships are currently waiting. This development should be seen not as an isolated formality but as a marker of wider regional tension that has direct consequences for global energy supplies and, consequently, for prices in Ukraine.

What is known

According to Uraloğlu, there are no vessels flying the Turkish flag in the waters of the strait, but there are ships owned by Turkish owners — a total of 15, one of which has already received Iranian approval to transit because it uses an Iranian port. The other 14 are awaiting further decisions. The minister also emphasized that Turkey remains in contact with the owners through the Main Search and Rescue Center.

"I can say that there are no Turkish-flagged vessels there. With the ships owned by Turkish owners, we are in constant contact through our Main Search and Rescue Center"

— Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey (TRT Haber)

There are roughly 800 vessels of various classes in the region overall, and the outflow through the Strait of Hormuz covers key oil routes: according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2025 an average of about 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products per day passed through the strait — roughly 25% of seaborne oil trade.

Context: what further raises the risks

Tensions in the Middle East and the effective reduction of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have already led to spikes in energy prices. The New York Times reported on mine-laying in the strait, which complicates the resumption of navigation; the Financial Times recorded off-the-record talks by several European countries with Tehran about safe passage for ships. It was also reported that some Western military structures are not yet ready to organize regular escorts for civilian tankers.

Why this matters for Ukraine

This is not just geopolitics happening far away: the consequences for Ukraine are direct. Restrictions on tanker passage mean higher global prices for oil and petroleum products, which affect domestic fuel prices and logistics costs. LIGA.net has already analyzed why fuel has risen sharply in Ukraine and how likely a shortage is; further escalation could raise costs for both businesses and households.

Assessment and forecast

One permitted transit does not remove systemic risks. It is more of an indicator: while diplomacy is working at various levels (according to the FT, talks are underway behind the scenes), the revival of regular navigation depends on a combination of politics, military guarantees, and risk insurance. For Ukraine the key task is to reduce exposure to price volatility and cut dependence on vulnerable routes through diversification of supplies, strategic reserves, and pressure on international partners to create safe corridors.

Now the question for partners is: will diplomatic contacts turn into concrete mechanisms for maritime security — and how quickly will that be reflected in market stabilization, which is important for Ukraine's economic resilience?

Sources: TRT Haber, IEA, New York Times, Financial Times, LIGA.net