The threat of a Strait of Hormuz closure began in 1980, but oil experts fell asleep at the wheel

The danger of a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been known since at least 1980, but Kuwait still finds itself exposed to the waterway. An Al-Seyassah investigation published about four months after the Carter Doctrine was announced asked whether a closure could mark the start of World War III.

The concern was especially urgent for Kuwait because the country had no other outlet for exporting its oil, its primary source of national income. The debate took place during the Iran-Iraq War, as the so-called Tanker War was beginning. The article says the risk demanded economic and financial planning rather than simple confidence that the existing situation would remain stable.

Other oil-producing countries pursued alternatives. Saudi Arabia planned the Trans-Arabian Pipeline in 1946, and it opened in 1950 as an alternative to the strait, although it stopped operating after the 1967 War. In more recent decades, Saudi Arabia built the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea. The United Arab Emirates constructed the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline and therefore was not severely affected when the strait was closed in the past few months.

The article says Kuwait has been unable to export sufficient oil for the past six months, affecting the country's overall situation. Iran appeared during the recent crisis to control the world's main energy artery, while other countries began activating contingency plans. Kuwait, which relies on oil for 90 percent of its revenues, was left without an alternative.

The article criticizes officials who repeatedly reassure citizens that everything is under control. It calls on them to anticipate future challenges, learn from other oil-producing countries and use available resources to protect economic sustainability. At the same time, countries around the world are seeking alternatives to oil, including solar energy and nuclear power.