"Our first priority is the safety of our seafarers, of ocean-going shipping, of our Greek-flagged vessels, and also of Greek-owned ships - which make up 20% of the global fleet - meaning a large number of our ships are in the region," emphasised the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, in an interview with the public broadcaster ERT, referring to the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East and the escalating tension in the Strait of Hormuz.

The minister noted that the Operations Center of the Hellenic Coast Guard has already repeatedly issued guidelines for Greek-flagged ships or Greek-owned fleets approaching the area, and that information is being continuously updated every six and twelve hours.

When asked about the possibility of the Strait of Hormuz being closed, he described it as "the worst-case scenario," pointing out that if it were to happen, it would lead to a further escalation of an already "worrying and dangerous situation, which is getting out of control".

"Those who believe that a military conflict against a regime threatening the existence of another state - such as Iran threatening Israel - can have a predictable scope are mistaken. Let me remind you that some thought the Russia-Ukraine war would end in a few days. It didn’t. Now we’re seeing a new flare-up in Gaza and rising tensions across the Middle East, even between India and Pakistan. The situation is very serious," he stated characteristically.

As he noted, the goal for everyone should be diplomacy and de-escalation; however, "at this moment I see exactly the opposite - you see the attacks continuing."