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Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler sat down with Turkish journalist Yahya Bostan in Izmir on the sidelines of EFES-2026 and delivered pointed messages on Greece, Cyprus, the Strait of Hormuz, a potential regional defense alliance, and the "terror-free-Türkiye" process.
He called Greece's Patriot deployment to demilitarized islands "meaningless," said Türkiye would not hesitate to use its guarantor powers over Cyprus, and offered a conditional opening on Hormuz mine-clearing operations.
On the growing military cooperation between Israel, Greece, and the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA), Guler stated that Türkiye was watching carefully but drew a firm line regarding Cyprus.
"We closely follow the activities and military cooperation initiatives of Israel, Greece and the GCA. The initiative in question does not pose a military threat to Türkiye. But this situation may in the future become a security problem for the people of the GCA. The statements made by France and Greece based on certain scenarios are increasing tensions and carry the risk of harming regional peace and stability," Guler noted.
"I want to once again remind that any military alliance being formed in our region against Türkiye has no chance of success," he noted.
"As Türkiye, we will not hesitate to use the authorities given to us by the Guarantorship against hostile attitudes threatening the security of the Turkish Cypriots," the Turkish defense minister added.
Guler offered a conditional opening on Türkiye's potential role in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "Türkiye supports the preservation of freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and the reduction of tensions through diplomatic means. We can provide support to multinational initiatives aimed at preserving maritime security and freedom of navigation in Hormuz."
"In the event of agreement between the parties, we could participate in humanitarian mine-clearing activities," he said.
The Turkish defense minister also addressed the question of whether Türkiye was seeking a regional defense alliance.
"It would not be correct to say that while all countries seek alliances, Türkiye does not. Türkiye considers that constructive cooperation mechanisms to be developed among countries with significant regional weight, such as Pakistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, could make important contributions not only to regional security and stability but also to global peace and economic security," he stated.
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Guler confirmed that a plan was in place to temporarily supplement the Eurofighter fighter jet fleet with aircraft from Qatar and Oman ahead of the delivery of newly produced aircraft from the United Kingdom.
"It is planned to include a certain number of aircraft from Qatar and Oman in the inventory in order to meet the needs that may arise until the new-production Eurofighters to be procured from the United Kingdom enter the inventory," he noted.
"The recent developments in the region have no negative effect on the processes operated with these two countries," Guler said.
Turkish minister described Greece's decision to station Patriot batteries on demilitarized Aegean islands as a "meaningless" move.
"While striving for a peaceful solution, I want to particularly emphasize that we will never compromise our national interests and our resolve on this matter is complete," Guler told Bostan.
"Most recently they attempted the meaningless move of placing Patriots on demilitarized islands. There are reports they have decided to withdraw them. We are closely monitoring the situation. On the other hand, we are providing the necessary contributions to the Maritime Jurisdiction Areas Law work," he added.
Guler expressed sincere support for the "terror-free Türkiye" process initiated under President Erdogan and
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli.
"We sincerely wish for the 'terror-free Türkiye' process to succeed. The PKK and all affiliated groups must unconditionally surrender their weapons. We continue to work to manage the process with a coordinated, cautious and rational approach together with our relevant institutions, with full sensitivity and in full awareness of the responsibility that state wisdom has placed upon us," Guler said.
On developments in Syria, Guler noted that progress and compatibility were being achieved in integrating SDF structures into local frameworks, though some problems remained in the military integration track.
"Türkiye is following developments in the field with strategic patience and a multidimensional security approach," he added.
Bostan also noted a significant diplomatic dimension to EFES-2026: forces from both eastern and western Libya, the U.N.-recognized government and the Haftar side, participated under a single Libyan flag at Ankara's encouragement, marking the first time the two warring Libyan factions had participated together in a military exercise abroad.
The EFES-2026 exercise concluded May 21 at the Doganbey Firing Exercise Area in Seferihisar, Izmir, with President Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, Guler and Chief of General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu attending the distinguished observers' day.
The final day featured TB-3 UCAV launches from TCG Anadolu, naval engagements by TCG Kinaliada and TCG Heybeliada, artillery and mortar fire, electronic warfare, air assault, mine-clearing, amphibious landing and search-and-rescue scenarios.
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