Turkey Designs 5 New Routes to Bypass Strait of Hormuz

The Turkish government has designed five alternative supply routes for oil and gas to avoid the Strait of Hormuz if the Middle East crisis persists, local media reported on Friday (3/4). These routes include paths through Iraq and Syria, the Suez-Red Sea corridor, and options involving Oman. Longer routes crossing Africa are also being considered. This diversification aims to reduce the risk of supply disruptions, the report stated. On Thursday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said new rules for the Strait of Hormuz would regulate military and commercial ship traffic, but discussions on tariffs are still premature. On 28 February, the US and Israel launched attacks on several targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran retaliated by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. This escalation has triggered a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas from Gulf countries to global markets, driving up energy prices.