Turkey is seeking Iranian permission for 11 Turkish-owned vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, state-run Anadolu news agency reported Wednesday.

A total of 14 Turkish-owned ships remain in the strait, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. Three vessels are conducting ongoing operations, including power generation, and are not requesting to leave, Uraloglu told reporters in Ankara.

“Discussions are ongoing” for the remaining ships, he said, adding that Turkish authorities maintain regular contact with the vessels’ crews.

The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas supply. Iran effectively blocked the waterway following the outbreak of war on Feb. 28, halting the flow of oil, gas, fertilizer and metals.

Only one Turkish-owned ship has received permission to transit Hormuz since the conflict began, and that vessel was cleared “because it had used an Iranian port,” Uraloglu said earlier this month.

Brent crude has risen about 42% since the war started, though prices have fluctuated in response to varying signals about potential resolution of the fighting.

Prices declined Wednesday after President Donald Trump indicated the US could withdraw from the conflict within two or three weeks.

Source: Investing.com