Middle East Conflict and Global Energy Infrastructure: The Vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz and the EU's Strategic Choices

Introduction: The Geopoliticization of Global Infrastructure

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, quickly dragging the Middle East into a new war. This event not only reshaped the regional security landscape but also delivered a direct shock to global infrastructure systems. From shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz to cross-regional energy pipeline networks and maritime security operations, infrastructure has become both a battlefield and a strategic lever in the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz: The Choke Point of Global Energy Infrastructure

A joint commentary by the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) explicitly points out that the Strait of Hormuz faces the threat of closure or sustained instability. Iran has been accused of attacking oil tankers, insurance costs have risen rapidly, and more than 20% of oil and gas exports are at risk. But the impact goes beyond energy: fertilizers and other strategic products also depend on this passage. This highlights the highly concentrated vulnerability of global supply chains—conflict at a single geographic node is enough to trigger cross-regional logistics cost increases and supply disruptions.

Maritime Security Operations: A New Frontier for Infrastructure Defense

To safeguard freedom of navigation, the international community has deployed multiple naval forces. The U.S.- and UK-led Operation Sentinel, Operation Agenor carried out in cooperation with European and Gulf states, and the EU's own Operation Aspides are all operating in the Red Sea. These operations are essentially infrastructure protection projects—ensuring the physical security of critical maritime corridors and maintaining the continuity of trade flows. The EU is strengthening Operation Aspides, reflecting its view of maritime security as part of infrastructure investment.

The EU's Strategic Dilemma and Path Choices

The EU stands on the sidelines in this conflict, yet its interests are deeply affected. Regional stability, energy security, and democratic values are all being tested. The EUISS commentary offers three options: building a diplomatic alliance with Gulf states and international partners to de-escalate the situation; expanding maritime security operations to protect trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz; and supporting the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people. The essence of these options is that the EU must find a balance between protecting its infrastructure interests and exercising geopolitical influence.

Conclusion: Regional Stability in an Era of Infrastructure Competition

The Middle East war has once again proven that infrastructure has become a core vehicle for great-power competition and regional conflict. The vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz reveals the structural risks of the global energy network. In the future, any sustainable solution must incorporate infrastructure resilience into the international security framework. If the EU wants to be an influential actor, it needs to redefine its foreign and security policy from the perspective of infrastructure protection.

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Source: https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/commentary/war-middle-east-what-implications-eu-and-world