US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), linking the project to efforts to build alternative energy routes amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Speaking at a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump said recent attacks on commercial shipping had highlighted the need to move Middle East energy infrastructure away from routes vulnerable to Iranian pressure.
Trump specifically cited IMEC as one of the initiatives that could help create alternative routes for oil and other energy supplies.
He said his administration strongly supports the corridor as well as other infrastructure options, including pipelines, to facilitate the movement of energy.
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor was unveiled during the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023.
The initiative brings together India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union.
The proposed network is designed to combine shipping and rail links between India, the Gulf and Europe, along with energy and digital infrastructure. Its broader objective is to improve trade connectivity, reduce logistics barriers and diversify supply routes between the three regions.
The corridor is planned around an eastern section connecting India with the Gulf and a northern section linking the Gulf with Europe.
Trump's backing comes as the Strait of Hormuz and regional energy supplies face heightened security concerns amid the continuing Iran conflict.
The strait is a crucial route for global oil shipments, making alternative export and transport infrastructure a major focus for Gulf states and their international partners.
The current push for alternative routes has given IMEC renewed strategic attention, particularly because the corridor could provide additional connectivity between India, the Gulf and Europe.
The project's progress, however, remains dependent on political coordination, regional security and the construction of major infrastructure across several countries.
According to the IMEC project's progress information, construction of key infrastructure components, including rail lines, ports and highways, began in April 2025.
Trump also issued another warning to Iran, saying Washington had isolated Tehran economically and calling for Iran to change course.
He suggested there could eventually be a point at which the United States would no longer be willing to allow Iran to continue as it is.
Trump also repeated his claim that the US military operation “Midnight Hammer” had severely damaged Iran's nuclear programme.
His remarks came as diplomatic activity around the Iran conflict continued on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. US and Iranian representatives have engaged through mediators, with discussions focused in part on ending the conflict and addressing the status of the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest developments have placed IMEC, energy security and the future of regional trade routes at the centre of a wider debate over how India, the Gulf and Europe can strengthen connectivity while reducing exposure to conflict-related disruptions.
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