Why Strait of Hormuz Is World’s Oil Flashpoint

Once again, the Strait of Hormuz is at the center of global tensions. The Middle East’s crude oil and natural gas flow through the narrow sea conduit to international markets, making it the world’s most critical transportation “chokepoint.” Incidents there – such as Iran’s seizure of a British tanker, attacks on ships and confrontations involving drones – can whipsaw energy prices and send shipping and insurance rates rocketing. The U.S. and U.K. have stepped up their military presence in the region amid calls to ensure the waterway remains open.

Shaped like an inverted V, the waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, with Iran to its north and the United Arab Emirates and Oman to the south. It’s about 96 miles (154 kilometers) long and 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, with the shipping lanes in each direction just two miles wide. Its shallow depth makes ships vulnerable to mines, and the proximity to land – Iran, in particular – leaves large tankers open to attack from shore-based missiles or interception by fast patrol boats and helicopters.