News: The Strait of Hormuz has been in the news recently due to escalating tensions and intense military clashes between Iran and Israel in West Asia.
About Strait of Hormuz
- Location: The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway located between Iran and Oman.
- It connects the Persian Gulf (north) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (south).
- The strait is the only sea passage that allows the Persian Gulf waters to reach open waters (Indian Ocean).
- Importance: It is widely regarded as one of the world’s most strategically vital maritime choke points.
- It is located near the Arabian Peninsula, which holds the largest reserves of oil and gas globally.
- Roughly 30% of the world’s liquefied natural gas and 25% of its crude oil are transported through the Strait
- Around 21 million barrels of oil per day passed through it in 2022 — that’s about one-fifth of the world’s oil trade.
- Major oil-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq rely on this route.
- It is often called the “oil artery of the world” because of its vital role in global energy supply.
- Regulation: According to UN maritime laws, each country controls up to 12 nautical miles (approx. 22 km) from its coast. At its narrowest, the Strait falls entirely within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.
- However, international law requires that all ships must be allowed free passage, even in such waters.
