The Middle East seeks alternative routes for oil

Middle East Seeks Alternative Routes for Oil

Amid growing tension between the United States and Iran, Gulf countries are stepping up their efforts to find alternative routes that would reduce their reliance on the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This shift could have profound geopolitical and economic implications for the region and the world.

Why It Matters

This move affects not only the Gulf states but also has global implications. The security of oil and gas supplies is critical for many economies, and any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could have devastating consequences. Additionally, the creation of new transportation routes could alter the political and economic dynamics in the region, potentially diminishing Iran's influence in international energy markets.

The Facts

Middle Eastern countries are seeking alternatives to reduce their dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route that has become increasingly vulnerable due to tensions between the US and Iran. This search includes expanding existing pipelines and reviving old transport corridors that would allow the transit of oil, gas, and trade without passing through the strait.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE already operate pipelines that allow part of their oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline transports crude from the eastern oil fields to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, providing Riyadh with an alternative export route that avoids the Persian Gulf.

The UAE has invested in bypass infrastructure through the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline, which connects Abu Dhabi’s oil fields to the Gulf of Oman, allowing exports that completely avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

However, countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar lack alternative export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, leaving them more exposed to prolonged disruptions. In this context, Iraq is also exploring alternatives. After a drastic fall in its oil exports during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, Baghdad has renewed its efforts to revive the Kirkuk-Banyas pipeline, which would transport crude through Syria to the Mediterranean.

What Each Side Says

**Pakistan (Level 2/5):** Pakistan argues that Gulf countries are accepting a new normal in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran holds the upper hand.

**Kenya (Level 2/5):** Kenya argues that Gulf countries are accepting a new normal in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran holds the upper hand.

What We Don’t Know

No independent source from another country has confirmed the positions of Pakistan and Kenya. There is also no independent public record confirming or refuting these claims.

This change in the strategy for transporting oil and gas in the Middle East could have deep implications for global geopolitics and economics. If the crisis persists, the gradual transition to these alternative routes could weaken Iran's influence over international energy markets while also reshaping the political and economic geography of the region. However, implementing these alternative routes is not without risks, particularly given the proximity of some pipelines to Iranian weapons. The future of these routes will largely depend on how relations between the Gulf states and Iran evolve in the coming years.

Piece prepared by the newsroom from cross-checked sources in several countries.