Foreign ministers from seven European and Middle Eastern countries met in Istanbul on Friday for the first joint session of the R4 and E3 groups, placing the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of a new diplomatic push. The gathering, hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, brought together the R4 — Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt — with Britain, France and Germany for the first time in this format.
The meeting was arranged at Türkiye’s initiative, according to a Turkish diplomatic source cited by Reuters, as conflicts involving Iran, Yemen and Ukraine continue to threaten sea lanes and regional security. On the agenda were the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the latest situation in the Strait of Hormuz, developments in Yemen, efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, and ways to deepen cooperation between regional and European countries.
Key takeaways
- Seven countries met in Istanbul for the first-ever R4+E3 ministerial on Hormuz shipping security.
- Germany’s FM: the group won’t accept Iran and Houthi militias “holding global trade hostage.”
- No binding deal — ministers are exploring coordinated diplomatic approaches.
Maritime security dominated the talks, with ministers focused on protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb and on developments in the Black Sea. Speaking before his departure, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the group wanted to find ways to break the deadlock in stalled regional conflicts. “We will not accept Iran and the Houthi militias holding global trade hostage and continuing to strangle the world’s energy and fertiliser supplies,” he said.
Britain’s Foreign Office said passage through the Strait “remains under threat, with traffic through the waterway sharply down on pre-war levels,” and that Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband would push a diplomatic solution restoring full navigational rights. London added that it had committed RAF Typhoon jets this week to help defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks in its airspace.
Pakistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who travelled to Istanbul at Fidan’s invitation. Its Foreign Office said participation reflected a commitment to “constructive diplomacy, regional cooperation and the peaceful resolution of disputes.” Ankara is expected to press for a diplomatic solution to the US–Iran war and for free navigation through Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. The talks follow a string of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and an Aramco oil field, while Iran says seven oil tankers have been attacked in the Strait amid fears of renewed conflict.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil chokepoint, and months of attacks have already pushed traffic sharply below pre-war levels — a disruption felt in fuel prices and supply chains far beyond the region. This meeting is the first attempt to bring European and regional powers into a single room on the issue. For Pakistan, which imports nearly all of its petroleum, the outcome could directly affect household costs.
What’s next
No binding agreement emerged on Friday; the session was exploratory. Diplomats said future meetings in this format are likely if the Istanbul talks are judged productive. The real test comes in the coming weeks: whether Hormuz shipping traffic stabilises, and whether the US-Iran standoff moves toward negotiation or toward the renewed military action unnamed officials have warned could follow the American midterms.
Sources:
- Reuters via TRT World — “European, regional powers to discuss maritime security at Istanbul meeting: German FM”
- AFP via Kuwait Times — “European, Mideast ministers meet in Istanbul on Hormuz, regional crises”
- Pakistan Foreign Office via Hum News English — “Dar to attend first R4+E3 foreign ministers’ meeting in Istanbul today”
- Reuters via europesays — “DPM Dar reaches Istanbul for R-4 bloc, European diplomats’ meetings”
