In a significant development amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined a strategic vision on Thursday for rerouting the region’s vital oil and gas supplies. He emphasized the need to construct pipelines that would transport hydrocarbons across the Arabian Peninsula directly to Israeli ports on the Mediterranean Sea. This proposal aims to circumvent the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz and other Gulf waterways, which have become flashpoints due to Iran’s aggressive posturing.
Netanyahu’s remarks came just a day after Israeli forces launched a striking attack on Iran’s principal gas field, marking a sharp intensification of the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Tehran. During a press briefing, Netanyahu asserted that Iran no longer possesses the capability to enrich uranium, a claim that starkly contrasts with assessments from the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, which maintains that Iran’s nuclear program remains largely intact.
Throughout the 45-minute press conference, Netanyahu sought to justify Israel’s military actions, even as retaliatory strikes targeted energy infrastructure across the Gulf region, causing a surge in global energy prices. When questioned about the recent assault on the South Pars gas field, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel acted independently. He also revealed that former US President Donald Trump had requested a pause on further Israeli attacks, reflecting Washington’s sensitivity to the economic repercussions of rising fuel costs on its domestic political base.
Trump’s administration has been vocal in urging international partners to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply transits. However, Netanyahu suggested that the current conflict might accelerate the search for alternative routes, which could ultimately benefit Israel strategically and economically. “Imagine pipelines carrying oil and gas westward across the Arabian Peninsula directly to Israel’s Mediterranean ports,” he explained. “Such infrastructure would effectively eliminate the threat posed by these narrow maritime passages, representing a transformative shift in regional energy dynamics that could emerge from this conflict.”
Turning to the broader military campaign, Netanyahu reiterated that the US and Israel initiated their offensive against Iran on February 28, following months of unsuccessful negotiations centered on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. He confidently stated that after nearly three weeks of hostilities, Iran has lost its ability to enrich uranium and produce missiles, although he did not provide concrete evidence to support these assertions. Contrarily, Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, indicated that much of Iran’s nuclear enrichment infrastructure remains operational, underscoring Tehran’s continued technical capacity and industrial know-how.
Netanyahu did not address Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is believed to be securely stored beneath the Isfahan nuclear facility, a site reportedly targeted by US strikes last June. Since the conflict’s onset, Israel and several Gulf states have endured a barrage of missile and drone attacks launched by Iran, escalating the regional security crisis. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s military efforts are focused not only on dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and nuclear program remnants but also on crippling the industrial base that supports these weapons systems.
Looking ahead, Netanyahu acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the potential for internal upheaval within Iran. He suggested that the Iranian populace might eventually rise against their government, but stressed that such a development depends entirely on the people’s own initiative and timing. He also hinted at the possibility of a ground operation to complement air strikes, stating, “A purely aerial campaign will not suffice to topple the regime. There must be a ground component, though I prefer not to disclose the various options we are considering.” This statement leaves open the prospect of expanded military engagement in the near future.
