Iraq and Syria sign deal to rehabilitate Mediterranean pipeline, bypass Strait of Hormuz

Iraq and Syria sign deal to rehabilitate Mediterranean pipeline, bypass Strait of Hormuz Iraq and Syria have signed a cooperation agreement to reconstruct a pipeline running from Iraqi oil fields to Syria’s Mediterranean coast, as part of a US-brokered deal to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East Eye was the first to reveal that the US was brokering efforts to rehabilitate the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, with US ambassador to Turkey and Syria envoy Tom Barrack taking the lead. After MEE's exclusive, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times reported on the expected deal. Read more: Iraq and Syria sign deal to rehabilitate Mediterranean pipeline, bypass Strait of Hormuz Oil facilities at the Baniyas port refinery on the Mediterranean Sea, Syria, on 15 April 2026 (Bakr Alkasem/AFP)