Iran has taken steps to shut the Strait of Hormuz, with vessels in the Gulf reportedly receiving high-frequency radio warnings from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that no ships would be allowed to transit the crucial passage, according to Reuters.
The Strait of Hormuz, situated in the Arabian Gulf, is a key artery for global energy supplies and a lifeline for US allies. The move comes after the United States and Israel launched missile strikes on Iran on Saturday, escalating tensions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world’s most important strategic chokepoints. Iran lies on its northern coast, and the Musandam Peninsula lies on its southern coast, shared by the United Arab Emirates and the Musandam Governorate, which is an exclave of Oman. The strait is approximately 90 nautical miles (167 kilometers) long, with a width varying from about 52 nmi (96 kilometers) to 21 nmi (39 kilometers).
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The Strait of Hormuz is not just a waterway; it is a lifeline of global energy. Any blockade would trigger a chain reaction for which the global economy is unprepared.
One-third of the world’s liquefied natural gas and about 25% of total global oil consumption passes through the strait, making it a highly critical strategic location for international trade.
The EIA has estimated that 84% of this crude oil goes to Asia, with China, India, Japan, and South Korea being the top buyers.
