Trump backs India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, but with a 'Iran' caveat

Trump backs IMEC, calls for shift in Middle East energy routes away from Iran

US president Donald Trump on Tuesday said his administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), stressing the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from Iranian checkpoints amid a series of strikes across West Asia during the ongoing war.Trump said the corridor could help create alternative routes for energy and trade as the region faces continued disruptions linked to the conflict.Addressing a meeting with GCC and Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump said attacks on commercial shipping in neighbouring countries had underscored the need to shift the region’s energy infrastructure away from vulnerable routes."Iran's terrorist attacks on commercial shipping in neighboring countries have shown the need to shift Middle East energy infrastructure away from the Iranian checkpoints.

That's why my administration strongly supports the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and other places in the form of getting oil out, whether it's pipelines or anything else. Together, we're on the verge of overcoming challenges that have plagued this region for decades," Trump said.Trump described the leaders at the meeting as some of the United States’ closest allies and partners, saying their efforts were focused on making the Middle East safer and more prosperous.

"It's an honor to be here with some of America's greatest and closest friends, allies, and partners to continue our effort toward a safer and more prosperous Middle East," the US president said.The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), unveiled in 2023, comprises an Eastern Corridor linking India with the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf with Europe. The project envisages a railway and ship-to-rail transit network, along with road transport routes.Trump also confirmed that the US officials had a "very good" meeting with Iran as he threatened to "annihilate" the Islamic Republic if a deal was not reached soon to end the war.Trump told reporters that his chief envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held talks with Iranian officials for about three hours on the sidelines of the annual gathering of world leaders, but offered few details about the discussions or what was discussed.Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump was open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly.