Erdogan’s latest challenge to Greece: Turkish research vessel heads back

The alarm in Greece has been lifted, at least for now. The Turkish research vessel TÜBİTAK MARMARA, which spent the past two days sailing south and southeast of Kastellorizo, is heading back to its base.

Greek authorities kept the vessel under continuous surveillance. The Navy and Coast Guard tracked its movements, while the Heraklion station quickly issued a counter-NAVTEX. That notice effectively rejected Turkey’s instructions and reaffirmed the limits of Greek jurisdiction.

A senior diplomatic source, responding to questions from tanea.gr about Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statements, said they fit within Turkey’s familiar demands. The source said the issue of demilitarization had resurfaced because the islands’ military structure had been strengthened in recent months amid the crisis in Iran.

The source also pointed to Greece’s relationship with Israel and what it described as pressure from Turkish media over Greece’s rising position in recent years. Greek reporting characterized Turkey’s move as an attempt to impose its claims at sea and to expand a disputed area through an allegedly illegal NAVTEX.

The vessel’s departure appears to have eased this particular flashpoint, even though the Turkish NAVTEX remains valid until September 15. Greek authorities remain on full alert. The report says the pause may be temporary, noting that Turkey has also sent the vessel into its own disputed marine park, where it conducted water-column research presented as environmental work.

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Erdogan’s statements fit within Turkey’s familiar demands. In particular, the issue of demilitarization resurfaced because the islands’ military structure had been strengthened in recent months due to the crisis in Iran. The underlying causes of the tension are, on the one hand, our relationship with Israel and, on the other, the pressure exerted by Turkish media because of Greece’s rise in recent years.