Iran warns oil pipelines bypassing Hormuz will be missile targets

Iran’s Deputy Parliament Speaker Haji Babayi has threatened to target any oil pipelines constructed to reduce the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, saying these projects and the technical support behind them serve US interests and constitute a threat to Iran.

In a televised statement, Babayi said Gulf states should not build pipelines to transport oil in a way that diminishes the significance of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Tehran would treat any party involved in such projects as complicit in targeting Iranian interests.

The deputy speaker explained that any country or entity laying alternative pipelines, providing technical support, or sharing information with the United States in this context would be considered by Tehran as participating in actions against Iran.

“Whoever builds a pipeline to reduce the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, we will target it with missiles,” he said, adding that Iran would view these projects as part of a war against its interests.

Babayi argued that building pipelines to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz would undermine the waterway’s importance while supporting the United States, Europe, and other countries, according to his remarks.

The economies of regional countries rely heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports, but rising geopolitical risks have pushed these nations to seek alternative routes by developing overland pipelines to lessen dependence on maritime transit through the strait.

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Before the war, about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and Oman.

Despite two ceasefire agreements between Washington and Tehran in April and June, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below pre-war levels, with vessels in the area still facing attacks.