Definition
The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow body of water linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and onward to global shipping. It is the route for roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and a substantial share of LNG. Its narrowness — under 40 km at the tightest — makes it one of the most-watched maritime chokepoints in the world.
Why this matters when reading conflict news
Almost every Iran-related shipping, oil-price, and insurance story turns on what is happening in Hormuz. "Closing" the strait is far easier to threaten than to do, but credible threats alone move markets.
Common misunderstandings
- Hormuz has never been fully and durably closed in modern history. Disruption is far more common than closure.
- Threats to close Hormuz frequently coincide with diplomatic moves, not just military ones.