Bypassing Iran: Israel and the Gulf Build a New Energy Route

Energy Minister Eli Cohen reveals contacts with Gulf states to channel oil and gas through Israel, as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. The goal: reduce dependence on Egypt, create a new energy corridor to Europe, and strengthen Israel's economy. Some countries have no diplomatic relations with Israel. The US administration is involved in the talks.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen revealed in an interview with 'Israel Hayom' that Israel and Gulf states have been holding meetings and contacts for several weeks to promote solutions for transporting oil and gas from Gulf states to world importers, via routes bypassing Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Some countries have no diplomatic relations with Israel. Diplomatic sources from the Gulf confirmed the reports, noting that these are immediate and long-term solutions, due to the urgent need arising from the war with Iran. The US administration is involved in the talks, aiming to strip Iran of its main leverage in Hormuz. The immediate solution includes unloading oil from tankers at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port to Eilat, and from there via the Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline (EAPC) to Ashkelon and the Mediterranean. Long-term solutions include pipelines from the Gulf to Aqaba and then to Eilat. Cohen said the war with Iran proved that alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are needed. He stressed that the Israeli route is ideal, as Israel will know how to defend it, and in the long run it will lower energy prices due to competition with other routes. Cohen spoke with his Greek counterpart Stavros Papastavrou about advancing the IMEC infrastructure corridor. According to the Energy Ministry, the route will be the fastest and cheapest, contribute to the global economy, strengthen Israel's economy, bring hundreds of billions into the state treasury, and create jobs. Israel is entering the race for alternative routes late, with Turkey and Qatar leading competing alternatives. Some projects are in planning and some in execution. The UAE is doubling its pipeline to Fujairah, which will start operating at the end of the year. Bahrain and Kuwait have no similar solutions and are trying to increase the capacity of the Petroline line. Israel has an agreement with the UAE on transferring oil through Eilat (Med-Red), whose scope was reduced due to environmental struggles. A senior Israeli official said that if the solution is not realized, Israel misses a huge opportunity. Opinions from the Foreign Ministry and the National Security Council determined that the deal will yield certain political benefit. EAPC CEO Amit Shaked said that even if Hormuz opens, the energy world will not return to its previous state, and Israel has a clear geographical advantage through EAPC.