Kuwait's Oil Minister said on Sunday (July 26) that the country is in talks with Saudi Arabia and neighboring Arab states to build a new crude oil export pipeline, potentially bypassing the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical oil transit routes.
The move comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region, prompting oil-exporting nations to worry about potential supply disruptions if this strategic waterway were blocked. The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and Oman, serves as a gateway for approximately 20% of global oil consumption.
No specific details have been disclosed regarding the pipeline's scale, capacity, or planned route. According to the Kuwaiti official, discussions are in early stages and aim to bolster energy security for exporting countries in the region.
Constructing an alternative pipeline would help Kuwait and its Arab partners reduce their dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen numerous confrontations and military threats in the past, particularly amid international sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear program.
Analysts assess that if the project materializes, it would represent a significant strategic step toward diversifying oil transport routes in the Middle East while mitigating risks of global supply disruptions.
