Israel-Gulf Talks Outline Mediterranean Energy Corridor to Bypass Hormuz

Israel and several Gulf states have held meetings to develop routes for Gulf oil and natural gas that bypass the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, with immediate options like moving oil from Yanbu to Eilat and long-term pipelines from the Gulf to Aqaba and then Eilat. The talks, involving the US, aim to reduce Iran’s leverage and integrate with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Proposals claim economic and strategic benefits, though competing routes exist (Turkey, Qatar) and environmental/operational challenges persist; Israel has existing Med-Red links with the UAE, and officials warn that delaying the plan could miss a major energy and geopolitical opening.