No route around Hormuz: Why West Asia’s pipeline alternatives fall short
By Piri ·
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the February 2026 US–Israel war has prompted new pipeline proposals, yet most routes face geography, cost, capacity, and security limits. Iraq’s Kirkuk–Baniyas, Iraq–Turkiye, IPSA, and Basra–Aqaba lines require billions in repairs, political settlements, or face Red Sea risks, while Saudi and Emirati bypasses remain within Iranian and Yemeni missile range; 80 percent of Gulf oil heads to Asia, making westward detours commercially inefficient until regional security improves.
Chapters
- Hormuz Dependency and Pipeline Limits
- Asia's Reliance on Hormuz Exports
- Challenges of Reviving Old Pipelines
- Limited Capacity of Existing Bypasses
- Security Crisis Over Pipeline Fixes
Adapted from Hussein Askary.