Gas and oil supplies to Europe and Poland are at risk? "This is the bottleneck of global energy"

• - Observing Israel's actions, one might get the impression that it is seeking to engage the US on its side. If this happens, the world will face the threat of a wider escalation - says Krzysztof Płomiński, former Polish ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, to ​​WNP.
• Millions of barrels of oil flow daily through the narrow, 33-kilometer Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Oman.
• As Płomiński says, Poland is already feeling the effects of tensions in the Middle East: through rising energy prices, market destabilization and reduced US involvement in the security of NATO's eastern flank.

Although oil and gas supplies from the Gulf countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, continue to reach Europe, and tankers continue to sail freely, there is no sense of security. The region accounts for nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas transport. Millions of barrels of oil flow through the narrow, 33-kilometer Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Oman, every day .

- This is the bottleneck of the world's energy sector . If it is blocked, the consequences will be felt by the entire world - says Krzysztof Płomiński, former Polish ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Iraq .

- For now, the situation seems to be under control, but the danger of such disruption has existed for a very long time - he emphasises.

As the diplomat explains, in the event of an escalation of the conflict, Saudi Arabia could theoretically transfer some of its exports through the Red Sea, but this route is not free from threats either. The increased activity of the Houthi in Yemen only increases the risk. If there were to be more serious clashes, not only would sea routes be at risk, but also refineries and oil fields in the entire region.

Time for specifics in the Polish energy strategy

As Płomiński says, Poland is already feeling the effects of tensions in the Middle East : through rising energy prices, market destabilization and reduced US involvement in the security of NATO's eastern flank.

In his opinion, Poland should act in a multi-track manner. Investments in renewable energy sources , further diversification of supplies and more thoughtful management of consumption are necessary.

- We cannot afford for more than a dozen percent of supplies to come from one direction - he says, adding that saving is also becoming an important element.

According to Płomiński, in a destabilized world that may be heading towards a very large-scale conflict, one must above all be cautious and have certain reserves of raw materials. To illustrate the problem, he cites the example of gas in Poland.

- We have a contracted raw material that we are unable to collect or store. This means that we are paying for something that we do not actually use - he explains.

Will the US join the war in the Middle East?

According to the former ambassador , it is highly probable that the United States will be drawn into an open conflict .

- Watching Israel's actions, one gets the impression that it is seeking to engage the US on its side. If that happens, the world will face the threat of wider escalation, he says.

Therefore - as he points out - in this situation, the need to develop a coherent, European position towards the Middle East region takes on particular significance. This is not only about declarations of solidarity or ad hoc diplomatic actions, but about a long-term strategy that will take into account the real interests of the member states and the challenges they will have to face. Europe should really take greater care of its own interests , its own identity in relation to its surroundings - appeals Płomiński.

- This also applies to the United States, which, as everything indicates, is not consulting its possible involvement in the conflict in Iran to a greater extent, at least not with the European Union, and if such consultations are carried out, they mainly concern Great Britain, Great Britain and France - sums up the former ambassador.

He adds that due to the conflict in the Middle East, migratory pressure, the growing threat from extremist groups, and possible disruptions to energy supplies are not hypothetical scenarios, but issues that could become everyday reality in European politics at any time.