R4 Ministers Back Iran Diplomacy, Demand Unrestricted Strait of Hormuz Passage
By Robeka Irfan— SCN NEWS
ISTANBUL — The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Egypt called Friday for a negotiated settlement to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, demanding the restoration of safe and unrestricted commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as regional tensions threaten international energy supplies and maritime trade.
Meeting in Istanbul under the Regional Four, or R4, diplomatic framework, the ministers endorsed continued efforts to prevent renewed hostilities and expressed support for the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a diplomatic initiative aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The four countries also condemned attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, linking the security of Gulf shipping routes to wider concerns about regional stability, food supplies and economic disruption.
The meeting brought together Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. It was the sixth ministerial meeting of the R4 group, which has emerged as a platform for regional consultations and diplomatic coordination during the Middle East crisis.
In a joint statement issued by Türkiye's Foreign Ministry, the ministers rejected restrictions that interfere with lawful maritime navigation and called for the swift restoration of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. They warned that disruptions to international sea lanes could interfere with the movement of energy, food and fertiliser, creating economic consequences for countries far beyond the immediate conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a critical route for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments from major Gulf producers. Any sustained disruption to commercial traffic can increase shipping costs, affect insurance arrangements and place additional pressure on international energy markets.
The ministers emphasized that the confrontation involving Iran should be addressed through diplomatic engagement rather than further military escalation. They also called for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including commercial vessels, reflecting concerns that a renewed conflict could extend its effects across regional transport and energy networks.
The endorsement of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding gave particular prominence to Pakistan's diplomatic role. Islamabad has sought to maintain engagement with the parties involved in the conflict and support efforts to prevent another round of fighting, while coordinating with regional governments concerned about the economic and security consequences.
Dar subsequently briefed European counterparts on Pakistan's continuing mediation efforts during a separate meeting involving the R4 ministers and representatives of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, the discussions addressed developments in the Gulf and the need for continued diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
The expanded talks represented an effort to bring regional and European governments into closer consultation over a crisis affecting international trade routes and energy supplies. The participating ministers agreed to maintain engagement through the format, although no new ceasefire agreement or binding maritime security arrangement was announced.
The Istanbul meetings also addressed the deteriorating security situation in Yemen and the attacks attributed to the Houthi movement. The R4 ministers expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, reaffirmed their support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and condemned strikes targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
They also denounced attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another important maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The ministers urged the Houthis to halt military operations and threats and return to the political process.
The focus on both Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb reflected the growing concern that insecurity along separate maritime corridors could create overlapping disruptions to global supply chains. The two waterways serve different shipping routes, but threats to either can influence vessel movements, freight costs and the availability of internationally traded goods.
Saudi Arabia's participation was especially significant following the latest attacks on its territory. The kingdom has faced renewed threats to civilian and energy infrastructure, increasing pressure on regional governments to strengthen security cooperation while avoiding a wider confrontation.
The R4 statement combined support for Saudi security with a broader appeal for diplomatic solutions. Its emphasis on state sovereignty and the protection of civilian infrastructure provided a common position for countries facing different security challenges but sharing concerns about regional instability.
The ministers also addressed the Palestinian territories, calling for an end to violence and the protection of Palestinian rights. They reiterated support for an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
Their statement condemned Israeli settlement activity and settler violence in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. It also called for uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to Gaza and support for reconstruction, placing the Palestinian issue alongside the Iran conflict and maritime security among the group's principal diplomatic concerns.
The four governments presented these issues as interconnected challenges requiring sustained international engagement. Their joint position reflected the view that regional stability cannot be secured through military measures alone and that unresolved political disputes continue to affect the prospects for lasting peace.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty emphasized the need to resume political dialogue, warning that further military escalation could carry serious consequences for regional and international security. Türkiye, which hosted the talks, has similarly promoted negotiations and warned against another expansion of the conflict.
Pakistan's Foreign Office said the ministers reviewed developments since their previous meeting in New York in September, with particular attention to security challenges and efforts to improve regional coordination. Dar also held bilateral discussions with his Turkish, Egyptian and Saudi counterparts on the sidelines of the gathering.
The separate European meeting broadened the diplomatic discussion to include governments with significant economic and strategic interests in Gulf stability. France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom have been involved in consultations over the regional crisis, including the protection of maritime trade and the prevention of renewed military escalation.
For energy-importing economies, the restoration of predictable shipping through Hormuz remains a central concern. Restrictions on vessel movements and uncertainty over maritime security can affect fuel prices, commercial deliveries and business costs, even when production facilities remain operational.
The R4 ministers argued that the consequences of interrupted shipping would be felt particularly strongly by vulnerable populations dependent on imported energy, food and agricultural supplies. Their statement called for collective international action to protect navigational rights and reduce the risk of further economic disruption.
The Istanbul declaration established a shared diplomatic position but did not itself resolve the disputes affecting the region. No agreement was announced with Iran or the United States to end the confrontation, and the ministers did not present evidence that normal commercial passage through Hormuz had been fully restored.
The next test for the initiative will be whether continued consultations produce practical steps to reduce military tensions, protect civilian infrastructure and restore confidence among commercial shipping operators.
For Pakistan and its R4 partners, the Istanbul meetings demonstrated an effort to coordinate regional diplomacy while engaging European governments on the same security challenges. Their immediate demands remain a negotiated settlement to the Iran conflict, an end to attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels, and the restoration of secure, uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.