US President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), saying the Middle East needs to shift energy infrastructure away from routes vulnerable to disruption by Iran.

Speaking at a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump linked the push for alternative energy routes to attacks on commercial shipping and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran’s terrorist attacks on commercial shipping in neighboring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints,” Trump said.

“That’s why my administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and other places in the form of getting oil out, whether it’s pipelines or anything else,” he added.

Strait Of Hormuz Disruption Drives Search For Alternatives

Trump’s remarks come as the Iran war continues to disrupt energy and shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key energy chokepoints. Around 20 million barrels of oil per day passed through the strait in 2025, while LNG flows through the route accounted for almost 20% of global LNG trade.

The conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has severely disrupted shipping through the strait. Vessel traffic has fallen sharply, prompting Gulf producers and global buyers to explore alternative routes for transporting oil and gas.

The disruption has also heightened concerns over global energy supplies and prices, given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to international oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Trump said the region was now close to overcoming challenges that had affected it for decades.

“Together, we’re on the verge of overcoming challenges that have plagued this region for decades,” he said.

What Is IMEC?

Unveiled at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, IMEC is a multi-modal connectivity project designed to link Asia, the Middle East and Europe through two main corridors.

The Eastern Corridor would connect Indian ports such as Mundra and Kandla with Gulf ports including Fujairah and Jebel Ali. The Northern Corridor would run overland through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Israel’s Haifa Port, with onward connections to European terminals including Piraeus and Marseille.

The proposed network combines shipping links with railways and road connections, as well as planned energy and digital infrastructure. Its broader objective is to establish an alternative route for the movement of goods and energy between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Conflict Has Delayed IMEC

IMEC has faced delays and uncertainty amid conflicts and instability across West Asia. The latest disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has renewed attention on alternative energy and trade routes in the region.

Trump’s endorsement comes as governments and energy markets confront the risks associated with dependence on the strategically important waterway, potentially giving greater urgency to infrastructure projects designed to diversify routes for transporting oil, gas and other goods.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share