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🇮🇱 Israel /Energy & Infrastructure

Energy minister touts oil pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Energy Minister Eli Cohen proposed a pipeline through Israel to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, reducing Gulf countries' dependence on oil shipments through the waterway.
  • The proposed 700-km pipeline would connect Saudi Arabia to Israel's Eilat, then use the Trans Israel Pipeline to Ashkelon for export to Europe.
  • This initiative aims to mitigate risks from potential disruptions by Iran or Yemen's Houthis, with Saudi Arabia also considering expanding its own Red Sea pipeline capacity.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen has put forth a proposal for a 700-kilometer pipeline that would link Saudi Arabia to Israel's Red Sea port of Eilat. This ambitious project aims to significantly reduce Gulf countries' reliance on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical but vulnerable waterway.

The proposed route would see oil transported from Saudi Arabia to Eilat, then through Israel's existing Trans Israel Pipeline to the Mediterranean port of Ashkelon. From there, tankers could carry the oil to Europe, effectively bypassing both Iran and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have previously targeted shipping in the Red Sea.

Cohen emphasized that Gulf nations are keen to avoid dependence on either Iran or the Houthis for their vital oil exports. "If you create a land route, you bypass both Iran and the Houthis," he stated in an interview, highlighting Israel as the "best route."

The Gulf countries do not want to be dependent on either Iran or the Houthis (in Yemen) when it comes to their oil exports, which are their primary source of income.

— Eli CohenEnergy Minister Eli Cohen explaining the motivation behind the proposed pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

This idea is not entirely new, as a pipeline through Israel has been discussed before but never materialized due to regional tensions. However, the current geopolitical climate, marked by recent strikes against Iran and subsequent fears of renewed conflict, has brought the issue to the forefront. Saudi Arabia is also reportedly considering expanding the capacity of its own crude oil pipeline to the western Red Sea coast, further underscoring the regional interest in alternative export routes.

Beyond oil, Cohen also touched upon Israel's energy future, noting the ongoing tender for natural gas exploration and his belief in the presence of oil reserves. He reiterated Israel's commitment to alternative energy, projecting that solar power would account for at least 30% of electricity production by 2030.

If you create a land route, you bypass both Iran and the Houthis... The best route is through the State of Israel.

— Eli CohenEnergy Minister Eli Cohen highlighting the strategic advantage of a land route through Israel for oil exports.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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