Speaking at the G20 meetings in Asheville, Bessent suggested that recent conflict-driven disruptions have fundamentally altered the regional strategy. Saudi Arabia already demonstrated the viability of this shift by diverting 7 million barrels per day through its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea during recent shutdowns. The United Arab Emirates is moving toward a more permanent solution; ADNOC plans to double export capacity at the Fujairah terminal to 3.6 million barrels per day by 2027, effectively moving its primary egress point outside the Strait.

Iraq is exploring similar exits, evaluating a $15 billion pipeline through Syria alongside potential repairs to the Kirkuk-Ceyhan link into Turkey. Kuwait remains in talks to integrate its infrastructure with Saudi and Emirati networks to gain access to Red Sea or Fujairah ports, a move backed by financial participation from Japan. While maritime security remains precarious—highlighted by recent projectile strikes on tankers near the Strait—the current investment cycle signals that Gulf producers have moved beyond contingency planning. They are now treating bypass capacity as a core requirement for global energy stability.