• The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but crucial maritime passage approximately 30 miles wide at its narrowest point, located between the Iranian coast and the Omani Musandam Peninsula.
• It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as the only sea route from the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
• This strait is one of the world's most strategically important chokepoints, especially for global energy trade, as about 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas and 25% of seaborne oil trade pass through it daily.​

• The Strait of Hormuz is vital for the global oil and gas supply chain, serving as the primary export route for petroleum products from major Gulf countries including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
• Over 20 million barrels of oil per day, roughly one-fifth of the world's oil consumption, transits the strait, making it indispensable for global energy security and economic stability.​
• Due to its narrow shipping lanes and heavy maritime traffic, it is considered a chokepoint vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and military conflicts, notably involving Iran, which controls the northern coast of the strait and has occasionally threatened closure.​

• The strait's location at the intersection of several countries' territorial waters and its strategic importance make it a persistent hotspot for geopolitical tension, particularly between Iran and Western powers.
• Iran's unilateral extension of territorial waters and its military presence on nearby islands enhance its control and influence over this critical passage.
• Any disruption or threat to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz can significantly impact global oil prices and energy markets.​

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