U.S. backs Iraq-Syria pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz amid Middle East tensions

The U.S. is actively supporting efforts to revive the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, a 500-mile route from Iraq to Syria’s Mediterranean coast, as a strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes amid recent wartime closures of the Strait of Hormuz, which triggered the largest energy supply disruption in history and forced Iraq to slash oil production by 60%. Thomas Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria and Iraq, has convened closed-door discussions with officials from both countries and major energy firms, including Chevron Corp., to assess the feasibility of rehabilitating the long-defunct pipeline. The State Department confirmed U.S. government support for the project, emphasizing American companies’ potential role in its construction. The pipeline would bypass the Strait of Hormuz, reducing Iran’s influence over global oil flows and providing Iraq with a critical export route outside the Persian Gulf. Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer before the war, has been heavily reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports and has suffered severe economic strain due to production cuts. The proposed pipeline would run from Kirkuk in northern Iraq to Baniyas in western Syria, a port already home to the country’s largest refinery. Alternative routes under consideration include a southern pipeline from Basra to Haditha in the north, which could connect to Syria, Turkey, or Jordan. Iraq’s government has already taken steps to advance the project, authorizing state-owned Basra Oil Co. to award a contract to Houston-based engineering firm KBR Inc. for advisory services. The initiative aligns with Syria’s efforts to reintegrate into the global economy after a 14-year civil war. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who helped topple Bashar al-Assad in 2024, has signaled willingness to collaborate, having recently met with President Donald Trump at the NATO summit. The U.S. has progressively lifted sanctions on Syria, enabling companies like Chevron, TotalEnergies SE, and ConocoPhillips to explore oil projects in the country. However, significant challenges remain, including the high cost of reconstruction, damaged infrastructure, and persistent security risks in Syria’s eastern regions, where Islamic State cells are still active. The pipeline’s revival would mark a major shift in regional energy dynamics, offering Iraq a lifeline amid ongoing geopolitical volatility.