The U.S. backs the restart of the Iraq-Syria oil pipeline to weaken Iran's influence in the key strait.

The U.S. is advancing negotiations on an oil pipeline that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz to transport oil from Iraq to Syria, aiming to reduce Iran’s future influence on global energy supplies. According to people familiar with the matter, Thomas Barrack, the U.S. Special Representative for Syria and Iraq, has convened officials from both countries and firms including Chevron to discuss restarting a long-shuttered oil pipeline running from Iraq to Syria’s western coast. While multiple new route options are under consideration, the talks are focused on rebuilding the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which has been inactive for over two decades. A U.S. State Department official confirmed that the U.S. government is supporting Iraq and Syria in repairing the cross-border pipeline to expand trade routes, and expects U.S. companies to play a key role in its construction. Earlier this week, Trump met with Iraq’s prime minister at the White House, stating that "large-scale" new oil cooperation would be announced this week or next. (Jinshi)