Turkey issues NAVTEX for Mediterranean research amid Aegean airspace violations

Turkey has issued a NAVTEX (0953/26) authorizing maritime research activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, involving the vessel ‘Oruc Reis’ and accompanying ships Denar Pathfinder, Denar Echo, and Kirici. The designated area extends from the waters south of the Turkish coastline between Antalya and Mersin to the maritime area southwest of the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Greek diplomatic sources have condemned the move as an illegal unilateral action that violates the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus. The research is linked to a planned underwater natural gas pipeline between Turkey and the secessionist entity, which authorities claim lacks a legal basis under international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In a separate incident of tension in the Aegean, the Hellenic National Defence General Staff reported that a Turkish Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) conducted two violations of Greek national airspace and one violation of the Athens FIR in the Southeast Aegean on October 1, 2026. The UAV was identified and intercepted according to international protocols.