The Hormuz Strait, a narrow stretch of water at the start of the Persian Gulf, is one of the most important sea passages in the world. It's like a main road for a huge part of the world's energy supplies, making its calm state vital for the global economy. Recent events have put this key passage in the news again, showing how easily problems can arise there and how much it affects world politics. Understanding the Strait of Hormuz is crucial for knowing about global relations and where our energy comes from.

For students preparing for UPSC, truly understanding the Strait of Hormuz is very important. In GS-II (International Relations), it's a key example for studying world politics, conflict areas, and India's foreign policy. In GS-III (Economy and Energy Security), it's a vital part of how global energy moves and how it affects India's money matters.

Download Free UPSC Study Materials for IAS Preparation!

Download the UPSC Mains Practice Questions on the Strait of Hormuz!

Download the Daily Current Affairs for UPSC here!

What is the Strait of Hormuz?

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, very important water body that is the only sea way from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. It acts as a key bottleneck, controlling how energy and goods move between the oil-rich Middle East and the rest of the world.

Hormuz Strait Map

Read the article on the Gulf War!

Where is Hormuz Strait located?

The Hormuz Strait is found at the southeast end of the Persian Gulf. It is the only sea route from the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean. Its location means it sits between Iran to the north and the Musandam area of Oman to the south, acting as the main entry and exit point for ships in the Gulf.

Which Countries does the Hormuz Strait connect to?

The Hormuz Strait connects Iran on its northern side with Oman (specifically its Musandam Peninsula) on its southern side. While it allows all countries in the Persian Gulf to reach international waters, these two nations directly touch and control this vital passage.

Read the article on the Difference Between Gulf and Bay!

The control of Hormuz Strait is shared between Iran and Oman, as their lands border the waterway.

• Iran: Controls the northern coastline. Iran has often said it can close the Strait, especially if other countries punish it (sanctions) or threaten it with military action. Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has a strong naval presence there, able to affect ships passing through.
• Oman: Controls the southern coastline. Oman usually tries to stay neutral and helps ships pass freely.
• International Law (UNCLOS): Under a global agreement called the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ships generally have the right to "transit passage" through international straits, meaning they can pass through without stopping. However, Iran has sometimes argued that this rule might not fully apply to the Strait of Hormuz because of its special features and Iran's security needs.
• Global Naval Presence: To make sure oil and goods keep flowing, big world powers have navies in the area. The United States, with its Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain, is clearly there to ensure ships can pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz. Other allied navies (from Europe, the UK) also patrol the area to keep the sea safe.
• Regional Countries: Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also have interests and navies watching the area, as they depend heavily on the Strait for their exports.

Physical Features of Hormuz Strait

The Strait of Hormuz has certain natural features that make it very important strategically:

• Narrowness: At its smallest point, the Strait of Hormuz is about 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide. This narrowness means all ships must use specific lanes.
• Navigable Channel: The actual lanes for ships are even narrower, usually about 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide for ships going in and ships going out. There's a buffer zone between these lanes to prevent crashes. This limited width makes it easy to block.
• Depth: Even though it's narrow, the Strait is deep enough for the world's biggest oil tankers, which need deep water to pass safely. This allows huge amounts of oil to pass through.

Read the article on the Important Straits of the World!

The importance of Hormuz Strait cannot be said enough. It's much more than just a water passage; it's a vital connection for the world's economy, directly affecting energy prices, trade, and peace in the world.

• It's the single most crucial narrow passage for global oil. It handles about 20% of all the liquid petroleum used worldwide, which is around 20 million barrels of oil every day. Besides crude oil, it's also a key route for a lot of the world's Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipments, which are vital for countries that need a lot of energy.
• Oil and Gas Countries' Reliance: All the big oil and gas producing countries in the Persian Gulf—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and Qatar—completely depend on this Strait of Hormuz to send their oil and gas to world markets. Without it, they would find it very hard to export energy.
• Impact on Asian Economies: The strait of hormuz importance is especially big for major Asian economies like India, China, Japan, and South Korea. These countries are the main buyers of the oil and LNG that passes through the Strait, making its constant flow absolutely critical for their energy needs and economic growth.
• Global Supply Chains: Beyond energy, the Strait of Hormuz is a vital path for general sea trade, including container ships. It links major trading regions in the East and West, ensuring goods move smoothly worldwide. Any stop here would greatly harm global supply chains, affecting factories, distribution, and buying habits everywhere.
• Economic Weakness: Having such a high amount of vital trade go through one narrow spot makes the world economy very weak. Any stop in the Strait of Hormuz immediately affects global oil prices, makes shipping and insurance costs go up, and creates big economic uncertainty, hurting consumers and businesses around the world.

Stay connected with us for more such topics related to UPSC by downloading the Testbook App now!