Europe Seeks New Energy Solutions Amid Iran Conflict Fallout

WHO:

ABC News - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

ABC News - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

ABC News - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

AP News - Lianne Pollak-David, co-founder of the Israel-based Coalition for Regional Security

AP News - Antonio Costa, European Council President

AP News - Gabriel Mitchell, analyst with the German Marshall Fund think tank

AP News - Gallia Lindenstrauss, senior fellow with the Israel-based Institute for National Security Studies

AP News - U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright

WHAT:

ABC News - The Iran war has caused a shock to global fuel prices, prompting Europe to explore alternative trade and energy routes.

ABC News - The EU has spent 25 billion euros ($29 billion) more on oil and gas imports in the first 54 days of the Iran war.

ABC News - The East-West Pipeline in Saudi Arabia has been ramped up to transport a maximum capacity of 7 million barrels of oil per day.

AP News - The India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is being considered to enhance EU energy security.

AP News - The Great Seas Interconnector (GSI) is envisioned to stretch 1,208 kilometers (750 miles) to connect power grids of Europe, Cyprus, and Israel.

WHERE:

ABC News - The Strait of Hormuz

ABC News - Gulf states and India

ABC News - Israel

AP News - Eastern Mediterranean region

AP News - Houston, Texas, where the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Center was inaugurated

WHEN:

ABC News - The EU leaders discussed energy infrastructure in April.

AP News - The G7 leaders are currently discussing financing and building infrastructure.

WHY:

ABC News - The need for alternative energy routes is driven by the ongoing conflict in Iran and the desire to minimize future conflict impacts.

AP News - Saudi Arabia's normalization of relations with Israel is contingent upon a clear pathway to Palestinian statehood, which is opposed by Netanyahu.

HOW:

ABC News - The EU is looking to implement IMEC through new pipelines and transmission cables.

AP News - The U.S. is fostering closer energy ties among Greece, Cyprus, and Israel to develop natural gas deposits and energy transportation networks.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 14:06 UTC)

The ongoing conflict in Iran has significantly impacted global fuel prices, leading Europe to seek alternative energy routes and trade options. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Benjamin Netanyahu, are exploring the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor and the Great Seas Interconnector to enhance energy security, while the East-West Pipeline in Saudi Arabia has ramped up its capacity to transport seven million barrels of oil per day. Meanwhile, discussions among G7 leaders are underway to finance and build this critical infrastructure, as the U.S. works to strengthen energy ties among Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.