As Iran Chokes Off Hormuz, Gulf Turns its Back on Strait to Look at New Energy Routes

Though US, Israeli, and European diplomatic efforts have focused for years on limiting Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz has lately become the center of gravity of the on-again, off-again war between the US and Iran.

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“The Saudis, Turks, President Trump and his envoy Tom Barrack may favor Syrian strongman [President Ahmad al-] Sharaa, but who knows if he’ll still be leader over that fractured country by the time a pipeline is built,” cautioned Michael Makovsky, president and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

The 2023 India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC, plan, on the other hand, sees Haifa as a main port.

“Israel is the most stable country in the region, best able to protect its pipelines and ports, and most likely to respect commercial contracts,” said Makovsky.

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