Strait of Hormuz
| Strait of Hormuc | |
|---|---|
Satellite image | |
Strait of Hormuc | |
| Location | Persian Gulf–Gulf of Oman |
| Coordinates | 26°36′N 56°30′E / 26.6°N 56.5°E |
| Type | Strait |
| Basin countries | Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates |
| Min. width | 21 nmi (24 mi; 39 km) |
| Islands | Hormuz Island Qeshm Island |
| Settlements | |
The Strait of Hormuz (/hɔːrˈmuːz/ Persian: تنگهٔ هُرمُز Tangeh-ye Hormoz ⓘ, Arabic: مَضيق هُرمُز Maḍīq Hurmuz) is a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world's most strategically important choke points.[1] On the north coast lies Iran, and on the south coast lies the Musandam Peninsula, shared by the United Arab Emirates and the Musandam Governorate, an exclave of Oman. The strait is about 104 miles (90 nmi; 167 km) long, with a width varying from about 60 mi (52 nmi; 97 km) to 24 mi (21 nmi; 39 km).[2][3]
As of 2023, 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas and 25% of seaborne oil trade passes through the strait, making it a highly important location for trade.[4][3] It has been so for centuries; its vast hinterlands were rich in luxury trade goods with no easy access to lucrative trading ports. Babur's memoirs recount how almonds had to be carried from the distant Ferghana region in Central Asia to Hormuz to reach markets.[5]
As of June 2025, the strait has never been closed during Middle East conflicts, unlike the Straits of Tiran,[6] though Iranian threats to close the strait[7] and preparations to mine it have been made.[8]
- ^ Viktor Katona. "How Iran Plans To Bypass The World's Main Oil Chokepoint". Oilprice.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ Jon M. Van Dyke (2 October 2008). "Transit Passage Through International Straits" (PDF). The Future of Ocean Regime-Building. University of Hawaii. p. 216. doi:10.1163/ej.9789004172678.i-786.50. ISBN 9789004172678. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ a b "The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil transit chokepoint". U.S. Energy Information Administration. 4 January 2012. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ "World Oil Transit Chokepoints" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2015.
- ^ History of Civilizations of Central Asia Volume V: Development in contrast from the 16th century to the mid 19th century. UNESCO. p. 335.
- ^ "Oil Prices Jump, But Middle East Oil Keeps Flowing Uninterrupted". OilPrice.com. 17 June 2025.
the narrow lane has never been blocked in any previous conflict in the Middle East.
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