Turkey Offers to Participate in Hormuz Strait Mine Clearance, Boosts NATO Defense Spending

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Ankara has allocated an additional $24 billion to the “Steel Dome” project to bolster NATO’s air and missile defense capabilities. Erdoğan further elaborated that necessary steps have been taken to achieve a defense budget of 5% by 2030.

He highlighted that restrictions imposed on defense industries among NATO allies must be lifted, calling for greater responsibility from European allies in defending NATO without compromising the alliance’s unity. Erdoğan expressed that European NATO members should not exclude non-EU allies from their defense plans.

Addressing the developments in the Ukraine war, the Turkish President noted that Ukraine has urgent needs and that Ankara supports the country and its requests. Erdoğan also called for opening communication channels with Russia to establish peace.

Without referencing recent statements by Donald Trump regarding the termination of the security understanding with Iran, Erdoğan deemed his position on pursuing an agreement with Iran commendable. He also announced his country’s readiness to participate in potential mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.