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What is the Strait of Hormuz?

2025-06-23 12:03:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

What is the Strait of Hormuz?

The Strait of Hormuz is undoubtedly the most important maritime point in the world.

It connects the oil-rich Arabian Gulf (also called the Persian Gulf) with the Indian Ocean and is the channel through which approximately 20% of the world's oil supplies flow every day, as well as most of its gas.

With a width of only 33 km (20.5 miles) at its narrowest point, it is bordered by Iran to the north and Oman to the south.

Shipping lanes are carefully managed through a Traffic Separation Scheme that allows ships entering the sea to pass in one direction, ships exiting in the other direction, separated by a narrow median line of water to avoid collisions.

Oil, gas and petrochemical products that power much of the world's economies, especially China and India, pass through this strait every day.

So if Iran were to carry out its threat to close it, it could seriously damage the global economy, driving up energy prices. It would also cut off Iran's own source of export revenue, so it would be an act of economic self-harm.

The US Navy's 5th Fleet, based in Bahrain, patrols the strait, but in wartime its ships would be vulnerable to a massive "group" attack by Iranian Revolutionary Guard torpedo boats and fast drones.

The Royal Navy has a minesweeper in the region, HMS Middleton, which is currently at sea./ CNA





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