The Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s single most important oil passageway, forming a chokepoint between the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The 39km strait is the only route to the open ocean for over one-sixth of global oil production and one-third of the world’s liquified natural gas (LNG). Although the narrowest point in the strait is just 33km wide, the shipping lanes in both directions are only 3km wide.

The Strait contains eight major islands, seven of which are controlled by Iran. Iran and the United Arab Emirates disagree as to the ownership of the strategically located Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb islands. Nonetheless, Iran has maintained a military presence on these islands since the 1970s.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil chokepoint because of the large volumes of oil that flow through the strait.

Traveling by sea, the strait is the only means of transporting goods or people to the rest of the world. For this reason, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have proposed building more oil pipelines to avoid the problematic waterway.

Strait of Hormuz, also called Strait of Ormuz, channel linking the Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (southeast). The strait is 35 to 60 miles (55 to 95 km) wide and separates Iran (north) from the Arabian Peninsula (south).

The Persian Gulf is on the western side, while the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea are to the east. The Strait of Hormuz is bordered by several countries, including Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These three countries control this relatively short strait.

Iran claims monopoly over its security, which means there are significant structural problems the Strait of Hormuz faces. There is no consensus over what a collective approach to its security might look like and countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are suspicious of Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman is a major artery for oil circulation, targeted by Iran in the event of war.

But transportation costs would be higher if the strait were blocked, and several million barrels of oil exports would remain stranded, sending energy prices soaring on global markets.

In July 1972, Oman also expanded its territorial sea to 12 nautical miles (22 km) by decree. Thus, by mid-1972, the Strait of Hormuz was completely “closed” by the combined territorial waters of Iran and Oman.

Editorial Desk