Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Monday that the enduring solution to the escalating crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz involves rerouting energy pipelines westward. This strategic shift would direct oil and gas across Saudi Arabia toward the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

Netanyahu characterized the Strait of Hormuz as an unacceptable "geographic choke point" that Iran is leveraging. Iran is currently moving to impose tolls on ships and restrict passage through this vital global energy corridor.

A Dual-Track Strategy for Energy Security

The Prime Minister detailed a two-pronged approach to address the maritime security challenges. Immediate focus remains on U.S.-led efforts intended to reopen the Strait for unimpeded transit.

However, the longer-term strategy centers on eliminating dependence on narrow maritime chokepoints. This dependency currently grants Iran the ability to disrupt worldwide energy supplies, according to Netanyahu.

“Long-term solutions include rerouting energy pipelines westward, across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing Iran’s geographic choke point,” Netanyahu explained.

Netanyahu emphasized that addressing the fundamental geography of the situation is necessary, not just responding to military threats. He pointed to existing plans to divert energy pipelines from the Gulf region westward.

Iran's Escalating Control Over Hormuz

Iranian state media reported Tehran's plan to assert greater control over the strategic waterway. This includes imposing tolls denominated in Iranian rials on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Furthermore, Iran intends to bar ships from the U.S., Israel, and nations enforcing sanctions from using the passage. These measures, which involve coordination with Oman and new regulatory frameworks, mark a significant escalation.

Impact on Global Shipping and U.S. Response

Maritime intelligence estimates suggest that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by as much as 95 percent since the conflict intensified. This severe curtailment is linked to security threats and new restrictions imposed by Tehran.

On Monday, former President Trump warned via Truth Social that the U.S. is ready for decisive action if the Strait is not reopened. He threatened to "blow up and completely obliterate" Iran’s electric grid, oil infrastructure, and Kharg Island export hub if a deal was not reached.

Kharg Island handles approximately 90 percent of Iran’s total oil exports. Trump's warning highlighted the administration's commitment to restoring freedom of navigation.

Alternative Routes and Regional Concerns

Saudi Arabia has activated its East-West pipeline contingency route, ramping up flows to its Red Sea port of Yanbu to nearly full capacity. Shipments from Yanbu now total around 5 million barrels per day of crude, partially offsetting the disruption.

However, concerns persist that Tehran is urging its Houthi allies in Yemen to target Red Sea shipping. Such attacks could threaten traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, jeopardizing these alternative export routes.

Gulf States Urge Continued Pressure

Privately, several Gulf nations are encouraging the United States to maintain military pressure on Iran. Officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain argue that Tehran has not been sufficiently weakened.

These nations want the military campaign to continue until Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and threat to Hormuz are neutralized. This stance reinforces Netanyahu’s view that the crisis stems from a broader strategic vulnerability tied to the waterway.

Strategic Shift Away from Chokepoints

Netanyahu reiterated that while military action addresses the immediate crisis, the long-term goal must be eliminating the strategic leverage afforded by geographic bottlenecks. He pointed to existing infrastructure, like Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and Israel’s Eilat–Ashkelon corridor.

Proposals exist to create a continuous, land-based energy route from the Gulf to Europe. This would permanently bypass both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb, neutralizing Iran’s ability to threaten global supply via sea lanes.