Turkish ship starts energy search; Greece issues warnings

A Turkish research vessel has begun surveying for energy resources in contested areas of the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey's energy minister said Wednesday, amid an escalation of tensions between NATO allies and regional rivals Greece and Turkey over oil and gas exploration rights.

The Oruc Reis was conducting seismic research in an area Greece says is over its continental shelf, and Athens has demanded the ship's withdrawal. Both countries have warships shadowing the vessel.

"Our country never threatens but will not suffer blackmail either. This is why it does not succumb to threats or tolerate provocative acts," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a televised statement Wednesday evening.

Mitsotakis said Greece had deployed naval ships to the area and put the military on alert in response to the Turkish deployment of its own fleet.

"Let it...