Top European and Middle Eastern diplomats are set to meet in Istanbul on Friday for talks on several ongoing conflicts, including tensions with Iran, the war in Yemen and disruptions to international shipping, the German dpa news agency reports.

The meeting, hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, will bring together his counterparts from Germany, France, the UK, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.

According to German government sources, the discussions will focus on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, threats posed by Iran, the conflict in Yemen and its impact on shipping, as well as attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia on Saudi Arabia.

Fidan also plans to raise the situation in the Gaza Strip, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency. The Turkish foreign minister intends to push for a firm response from the international community and increased pressure on Israel, Anadolu reported.

The agenda will also include disruptions to grain exports via the Black Sea caused by Russia's war against Ukraine. The shipments are vital to food supplies in many countries in the Global South.

The meeting was initiated by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Fidan in an effort to inject fresh momentum into efforts to resolve stalled conflicts and mitigate their impact on Europe and beyond, including through higher energy prices, according to German officials.