Why does the Strait of Hormuz matter?

Tensions have been escalating in the Strait of Hormuz since 2019, when multiple international incidents occurred in the vital maritime corridor. Indeed, around one fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas and about 20% of total global oil consumption passes through this narrow waterway, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. The region is also a popular tourist destination, with numerous cruise ships also following the strait's busy shipping lanes.

But after the unprecedented decision by US President Donald Trump to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites, Iran is now threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s parliament has already approved the move.

To discover more about the Strait of Hormuz and its importance, click through this gallery.

The Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz, also called Strait of Ormuz, is a strait, or narrow channel, linking the Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (southeast).

Gulf State corridor

The strait is about 167 km (90 nautical miles) long, with a width varying from about 96 km (52 nautical miles) to 39 km (21 nautical miles). On the north coast lies Iran (pictured), and on the south coast the United Arab Emirates and Musandam, an exclave of Oman.

Strategic waterway

The strait is of great strategic and economic importance. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, and a third of the world’s liquefied natural gas and almost 20% of the total global oil consumption passes through this narrow waterway.

Strategic location

Beyond its economic value, Bandar Abbas is home to key naval bases that support Iran’s military presence in the strait. Its location allows Iran to monitor and potentially control maritime traffic in one of the world's most critical shipping routes. The city has become a focal point in regional tensions, especially during periods of tension involving the US and Gulf nations.

South Pars/North Dome gas field

Located in the Persian Gulf, the South Pars/North Dome field is the world's largest natural gas field. Ownership of the field is shared between Iran and Qatar.

Shipping lanes

Ships moving through the strait follow what's known as a maritime traffic-management route-system: inbound ships use one lane, outbound ships another, each lane being two miles wide. The lanes are separated by a two-mile-wide "median," or clear sea zone.

Oil exports threatened

In April 2019, the United States ended sanctions exemptions, effectively banning all Iranian oil exports. Iran hit back, threatening that if its oil exports are stopped, then no oil can pass the Strait of Hormuz. Pictured: Iranian military patrol the region.

"Sabotage"

United Arab Emirates officials reported that the ships—which included two Saudi oil tankers—had been subject to a "sabotage attack." Amid increasing tensions between the United States and Iran, US officials accused Iran of being behind the attack.

US drone downed

On June 20, Iran's Revolutionary Guard shot down a US surveillance drone. This infra-red image of the apparent strike was released by United States Central Command.

MV M. Star

Attacks on shipping in the region is nothing new. In July 2010, Japanese oil tanker the MV M. Star was damaged by an explosion believed to have been caused by a terrorist attack in the Strait of Hormuz. Radar had pinpointed a suspicious craft near the vessel just before it was attacked, and traces of explosives were subsequently found on the hull. In the 1980s the Persian Gulf was the scene of the so-called "Tanker War."

HMS Montrose

In July of the same year, the Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose was forced to intervene when Iranian gunboats tried to disrupt the passage of the commercial ship British Heritage. The ship was in disputed waters claimed by Iran when it was challenged by the Iranian vessels and ordered to move north. The British warship trained its guns on the approaching vessels to fend them off.

Seizure of the Stena Impero

A boat of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard sails next to Stena Impero, a British-flagged vessel that was subsequently seized in the Strait of Hormuz on July 20, 2019, and docked at the Port of Bandar Abbas, Iran, for two months. It was believed to be an act of retaliation for Britain's assistance in seizing an Iranian tanker off the coast of Gibraltar two weeks earlier.

Hormuz Island

The Iranian islands of Qeshm and Hormuz are noted tourist attractions. An early visitor to Hormoz Island was Marco Polo, around 1290, who described the destination in his travelogue.

Qeshm Island

The largest island in Iran, Qeshm is a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. Historic mosques and shrines, and a weird unworldly landscape, are just some of the visitor attractions.

Qeshm is also famous for its historic boat-building industry. The island is the last place where the traditional wooden cargo boat known as the Lenj is still constructed.

Musandam Peninsula

Khasab, local capital of the Musandam Governorate, is distinguished by its castle, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century.