Strait of Hormuz

Iran has reportedly threatened that it could consider closing the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict, raising eyebrows globally.

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Key Facts

• Strait of Hormuz is a critical narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• A strait is a narrow passage of water that connects two larger bodies of water.
• Key ports located near the strait include:
  • Iran’s Bandar Abbas – a major naval and commercial port.
  • UAE’s Fujairah Port – an important oil storage and shipping point.
  • Oman’s Sohar Port – used for trade and shipping reroutes.
  • Qatar’s Ras Laffan – a key port for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
• Approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through it with nearly 83% of it destined for Asian markets. 
• It is the main shipping route for energy exports from major producers like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.
• Much of India’s oil from key West Asian suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE reaches Indian ports via the Strait of Hormuz.
• A bulk of India’s LNG imports, which come predominantly from Qatar, also come through this vital choke point.
• The importance of the chokepoint for India’s energy supply and security cannot be understated.