Iraq and Pakistan have reached agreements with Iran to secure the delivery of oil and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf, according to sources cited by Reuters. These arrangements come amid significant energy instability linked to the ongoing conflict in the region.
These agreements illustrate the evolving role of Tehran in global energy flows transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's crude oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes. The ongoing war between Israel and the United States and Iran has already significantly disrupted regional exports.
According to several sources, the United States recently blockaded some Iranian ports, escalating tensions along maritime routes. Iran, which initially raised the possibility of disrupting traffic through the Strait of Gibraltar, is now reportedly adopting a different strategy, based on more direct control of the flow of goods.
Claudio Steuer, an expert at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, believes the situation has evolved from a blockade scenario to a control model. According to him, the Strait of Hormuz can no longer be considered a simple neutral transit route, but rather a corridor now under the direct influence of Tehran.
Iraq, which relies heavily on this maritime route for its oil exports, is among the countries most vulnerable to these changes. Pakistan, for its part, heavily dependent on energy imports from the Gulf, is also suffering the consequences of rising fuel prices and is seeking to secure its supplies.
In this context, several other countries in the region are also considering new energy agreements with Iran, illustrating the growing impact of the conflict on the global energy balance and the stability of strategic sea routes.
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