Iraq and Syria Ink Deal to Bypass Strait of Hormuz with Massive Oil Pipeline

Iraq and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to construct an oil pipeline from Iraq to the Mediterranean Sea, offering an alternative route for Iraqi crude exports that avoids the strategic Strait of Hormuz [199184][198885]. The agreement, which also includes a separate deal to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Banias crude oil pipeline, aims to strengthen energy cooperation and regional oil transit infrastructure [198848][199184]. The pipeline’s final destination is a port on the Mediterranean coast, though specific locations were not disclosed, and no timeline or cost estimates have been provided [199184]. The United States has welcomed the agreement, calling the project important for boosting stability and prosperity in the region [198849]. Separately, the U.S. envoy for Syria and Iraq confirmed that Washington is working with five regional countries, including Syria, on a program to develop alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz based on a principle called "precautionary delivery," though no specific routes or timelines were announced [198847].