Jordan was always a natural contender to be drawn into the alternative Iran-led alliance, given its strong historical anti-Israeli bias. Related: 13 Million Barrels Of Oil Could Be Affected By Suez Canal BlockageSecuring Jordan in this alliance was the initial aim of the oil deal that was resuscitated recently by Iraq. The second phase includes the installation of a 900-km pipeline in Jordan between Haditha and Aqaba, with a capacity of one million barrels. For Iran, this allows another alternate Iraq/Iraq oil export line to the historically vulnerable Strait of Hormuz route, to add to the current plans for the Guriyeh-Jask pipeline and plans to roll out a pipeline to Syria as well. It will also provide another ‘cover’ route for Iranian oil disguised as Iraqi oil, which can then be shipped easily both West and East.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 24, 2021 21:00 UTC