Strait of Hormuz
About
- The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway (only 30 miles wide at the narrowest point) located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
- It is bounded to the north by Iran and to the south by Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Significance
- The Strait of Hormuz serves as the only sea exit from the Persian Gulf into the Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean, making it one of the world’s most strategically important choke points.
- About a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz and any disruption to traffic can significantly affect global oil trade.
Did you know?
- India, the world’s third largest oil importer, imports roughly half of its crude needs through the Strait of Hormuz.
Why in News?
- As the United States and Israel escalate military operations against Iran, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed and warned that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway would be attacked.