Exclusive: Syria, Iraq and US plan to unveil Mediterranean pipeline deal to bypass Strait of Hormuz

Middle East EyeIndependentCenter7 hr. ago

Iraq, Syria, and the United States are planning to revive a historic oil pipeline connecting northern Iraq to Syria's Mediterranean coast. This initiative aims to reduce Iranian influence over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline, originally built in 1952, was closed in the 1980s due to Syria's alignment with Iran during the Iran-Iraq War and further damaged during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Senior Iraqi and regional officials indicated that the agreement could be announced during a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Tom Barrack, Trump's ambassador to Turkey and envoy to Syria and Iraq, has been involved in finalizing the deal.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the planned pipeline revival as a geopolitical strategy involving multiple countries and does not exhibit overtly biased language or selective sourcing. It provides background on historical reasons for the pipeline's closure and mentions involvement from both U.S. and Iraqi官员, 但

Middle East EyeIndependentConservative9 hr. ago

Iraq, Syria, and the United States are planning to revive a decades-old oil pipeline connecting Iraq to Syria's Mediterranean coast, aiming to reduce Iranian influence over the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline, originally built in 1952 and later abandoned due to conflict, would allow Iraq to export oil via the Mediterranean rather than through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Senior officials from Iraq and the U.S., including Trump's envoy Tom Barrack, have been working on the project ahead of a planned meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and President Donald Trump. The initiative comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, who has increased its presence in the region following the U.S.-Israeli conflict. However, the pipeline requires significant repairs and could take two to three years to complete.

Bias read (Conservative): The article emphasizes the strategic move to bypass Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, aligning with U.S. interests under the Trump administration. It highlights collaboration between Iraq and the U.S., suggesting a shift in Iraq's geopolitical alignment away from Iran. The framing focuses on U