Türkiye Condemns Black Sea Attack on Turkish-Operated Tanker, Reserves Right to Take “Necessary Measures”

By Bosphorus News Türkiye Desk

Türkiye on March 26 condemned the attack on the Turkish-operated tanker ALTURA in the Black Sea, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli calling the strike a violation of international law and warning that Ankara reserves the right to take “necessary measures” to protect its economic interests and activities in the region.

“We are receiving with great concern the attack carried out in the Black Sea against a Turkish-operated commercial vessel,” Keçeli said in an official statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said the incident took place within the Black Sea Exclusive Economic Zone and “violates international law,” adding that it poses serious risks to life, property, navigation and the environment.

“Türkiye reserves its right to take the necessary measures under international law to protect its economic interests and activities,” Keçeli said.

The statement places the incident within a broader security and legal framework, with Ankara warning against the expansion of conflict dynamics into the Black Sea and calling for restraint.

Keçeli said Türkiye is continuing contacts with relevant parties to prevent further escalation and to ensure that the war does not spread into the Black Sea.

Additional details reported by Turkish authorities identified the vessel as the Sierra Leone-flagged tanker ALTURA, operated by a Turkish company. Officials said all 27 crew members, all Turkish nationals, were safe following the incident.

The attack marks a direct strike on a commercial vessel linked to Türkiye in the Black Sea, bringing maritime security concerns closer to civilian shipping lanes.

The Foreign Ministry’s statement underlines that Ankara is treating the incident not as an isolated maritime event, but as part of a broader security risk with potential legal and economic implications.