Erdogan: Reopening the Strait of Hormuz Is Our Priority; Turkey Says It Has Trump's Promise on F35 Jets

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, August 15, 2026 (24 Mordad 1405), that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a priority for Turkey, since its continued closure benefits no one. According to Khabaronline, citing Al Jazeera and Mehr News Agency, Erdogan said he discussed the need to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon with US President Donald Trump during Trump's recent visit to Turkey, calling the US role in that effort essential.

Erdogan also said Turkey has received a promise from Trump regarding the delivery of F35 fighter jets and is waiting for it to be fulfilled. He referred to the "Mecca Agreement," under which signatory states commit to joint action in the event of external aggression against any of them, and said Egypt could eventually join the pact. He described Qatar as playing an important mediating role in efforts to end the war in the region.