According to a Reuters commentary published on June 18, 2026, Gulf exporters are seeking alternative routes around the Strait of Hormuz.
The source summary states that the Iran war exposed dangers associated with relying on a single chokepoint for vital oil and gas exports. This situation leaves Gulf governments facing what Reuters describes as a clear strategic imperative: to diversify export routes at all costs.
Reuters reports that this quest by exporters is expected to reshape regional dynamics in the Middle East.