Special to WorldTribune.com

ANKARA — Turkey has been preparing for a naval confrontation with Greece and Israel in the Mediterranean Sea.

Officials said the Turkish Navy has been authorized to stop foreign energy exploration and development in the eastern Mediterranean. They said the navy would operate under new rules of engagement that would protect Ankara’s controversial exploration program near the coast of Cyprus.

“The Prime Ministry handed over the rules of engagement to the chief of General Staff and the chief of staff handed them over to the Naval Forces Command,” Turkish Navy commander Adm. Bulent Bostanoglu said. “We will act in line with these rules of engagement in the event we face a situation over this issue.”

In a briefing on Nov. 9, Bostanoglu stressed that the navy would support Turkey’s claims in the eastern Mediterranean amid energy exploration and development by Israel and the Republic of Cyprus. The commander said warships would secure operations of a Turkish seismic vessel that was conducting an offshore energy survey meant to last until the end of 2014.

Bostanoglu, who attended the Blue Whale-2014 exercise, did not dismiss the prospect of a confrontation with either the Greek or Israeli navy. Both Greece and Israel were said to have intensified operations to protect offshore energy programs.

“Our naval forces elements will continue their mission of situational awareness in the region,” Bostanoglu said.

Bostanoglu said the Turkish Navy was protecting the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa research vessel near the coast of Cyprus, 38 percent of which is under Ankara’s control. The commander said the navy was also monitoring a Cypriot-commissioned drilling ship at a distance of nine kilometers.

“The order given to us for the moment is not to enter into this nine-kilometer area,” Bostanoglu said. “That’s why no incident of harassment or disturbance has occurred.”

  Cyprus, Turkey sets new rules of engagement in Mediterranean showdown with Israel, WorldTribune.com