Rachel Ziemba, founder of Ziemba Insights, highlighted the strategic importance of alternate pipelines given the persistent issues in the Strait of Hormuz. She pointed out that Iran is actively seeking to monetize and weaponize the strait, despite ongoing peace talks and a US waiver that allows some Iranian oil sales, providing critical economic relief to the country.
The discussion took place on Bloomberg's Horizons Middle East and Africa program, where Ziemba spoke with Abeer Abu Omar. The segment, titled "What Comes Next For Hormuz Oil Flows?" aired on June 23rd, 2026, and focused on the energy market's reaction to the US-Iran talks amidst the volatile situation in the region.
The context of the discussion includes recent attacks and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have prompted Gulf nations to accelerate efforts to develop overland export routes. For example, the UAE is expanding its Abu Dhabi-Fujairah crude pipeline, and Saudi Arabia is considering increasing the capacity of its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea. These actions underscore a regional imperative to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and build resilience against future disruptions.
