Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz

Why in News? 

In a recent maritime accident near the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE Coast Guard successfully rescued 24 crew members from the oil vessel ‘Adalynn’ following a sea collision. The incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, which is a strategically sensitive and critical maritime choke point.

What is the Strait of Hormuz?

• The Strait of Hormuz is located between Iran and Oman in West Asia. This narrow waterway ultimately connects to the Arabian Sea.
• Its geographic location makes it the only maritime passage linking the Gulf countries to the rest of the world.
• The Strait of Hormuz lies between the Persian Gulf in the north and the Gulf of Oman in the southeast, ultimately linking to the Arabian Sea and the broader Indian Ocean.
• The total length of this strait is approximately 167 kilometers, making it a long and active route for sea trade.
• Its width varies by location, sometimes reaching up to 95 kilometers, but at its narrowest point, it is only 33 kilometers wide.
• The safe navigation channel for ships is merely 3 kilometers wide, adding to its strategic importance.
• This waterway lies between northern Iran and the southern UAE, while Oman’s Musandam Peninsula also flanks the area.
• The strait also hosts many small and large islands, including Hangam, Hormuz, and Qeshm.
• It is referred to as the world’s most important “choke point.”
• A disruption in the supply of oil and gas from this area can impact the global economy.
• Iran’s recurring threats to limit passage through this strait often cause volatility in global oil prices.

Importance of the Strait of Hormuz in the Global and Indian Context

• Central role in global energy supply:
  • The Strait of Hormuz serves as a key conduit for the massive daily flow of energy resources, making it a critical hub for global energy dependency.
  • Approximately 25% of the world’s crude oil and around 30% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are transported to international markets via this strait.
  • Major OPEC countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Iraq, and UAE export a large share of their oil through this passage.
  • Qatar depends almost entirely on this strait to transport its liquefied natural gas.
• Main pillar of India’s energy security:
  • India imports about 85% of its total crude oil and around 70% of natural gas through this maritime route.
  • This strait forms the most vulnerable link in India’s energy supply chain; any disruption poses a threat to India’s economic stability.
  • Any increase in energy prices has a direct impact on inflation, trade deficit, and GDP growth.
  • A significant number of Indian investments, businesses, and workers are based in the Middle East, with connectivity relying heavily on this strait.
• India’s balanced diplomacy:
  • This region has historically been a center of political tension and military confrontation between Iran, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Western powers.
  • India’s West Asia policy prioritizes this maritime passage due to its impact on both energy supply and regional stability.
  • Through multilateral naval exercises and bilateral security agreements, India combats threats like piracy, terrorism, and instability in the region.
  • India’s “Act East” and “Look West” strategies use this strait as a natural connector between regions.

Significant Events Related to the Strait of Hormuz

• In 1984, Iraq attacked Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminals and tankers. Saddam Hussein’s strategy was to provoke Iran into closing the strait, inviting U.S. military action. However, Iran kept the passage open.
• In 1988, after Iran planted mines in international waters, damaging a U.S. warship, the U.S. retaliated with Operation Praying Mantis.
• In the same year, Iran Air Flight 655 was mistakenly shot down by the USS Vincennes over the strait, assuming it was a fighter jet.
• In 2007, the USS Newport News collided with the Japanese tanker Mogamigawa, and in 2009, the USS Hartford collided with the USS New Orleans due to navigation errors in the narrow waterway.
• In 2011, after Western nations planned sanctions on Iranian oil, the Iranian Vice President threatened to block the strait.
• After the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA deal, Iran again in July 2018 threatened closure of the strait and test-fired a Fateh-110 missile, flying over the strait.
• In 2019, mysterious explosions damaged two oil tankers – Front Altair and Kokuka Courageous – escalating U.S.-Iran tensions. The U.S. accused Iran of the attack.
• On 14 June 2025, Iran issued a threat to shut the strait in response to Israeli military strikes.

Note: In response to such threats, Saudi Arabia in 2012 revived the IPSA pipeline, allowing oil to reach the Red Sea without passing through Hormuz. On the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE developed the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline.

Other Major Strategic Straits of the World

• The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital corridor between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, lying at the crossroads of Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its width is approximately 30 km, and this waterway is essential for reaching the Suez Canal. On a global scale, ships carrying crude oil or goods from the Middle East to Europe must use this passage, making it highly critical.
• Strait of Malacca is located in Southeast Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia, and connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. At some places, its width narrows to just 2.8 km, yet over 50,000 ships pass through it daily. This route is extremely vital for the supply of oil, LNG, and goods to countries like Japan, China, South Korea, and India.
• Egypt’s Suez Canal links the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, enabling direct maritime trade. Its total length is approximately 193 km, allowing ships to trade between Asia and Europe without circumnavigating Africa. This route handles about 12% of the world’s maritime trade, making it indispensable to global commerce.
• Panama Canal, located in the Central American country of Panama, connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. With a length of around 82 km, it takes a ship an average of 8–10 hours to cross, compared to weeks of travel around Cape Horn. Each year, more than 14,000 ships transit through this canal.
• Bosphorus Strait, located in Turkey, connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. Its length is about 30 km, and it serves as a land divide between Europe and Asia. This route is essential for the export of oil and grain from countries like Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia.