SAEDNEWS: The Strait of Hormuz — officially known as the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Corridor — is one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open seas.
The Strait of Hormuz, Iran The Strait of Hormuz is a sensitive and functional maritime passage in the Middle East. Due to its location on the main route between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, providing Gulf countries access to international waters, it holds high global importance. After the discovery of oil in the Persian Gulf, the Strait’s significance increased even further.
Iranian islands such as Qeshm, Hormuz, Larak, and Hengam are situated within and around the Strait of Hormuz, enhancing Iran's control over it.
Aerial Map of the Strait of Hormuz The Strait of Hormuz connects Iran’s Hormozgan Province in the south to the Musandam Province in Oman. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as Oman’s primary neighbors, are key stakeholders in the region. Massive commercial ships and international oil tankers have the most frequent traffic along this route.
The closest Iranian islands to the Strait include Qeshm, Hengam, Hormuz, and Larak. These islands hold special strategic importance due to their proximity, especially Qeshm, which is notable for its large size and tourism potential.
How Was the Strait of Hormuz Formed? The Strait of Hormuz is the result of millions of years of tectonic activity, continental plate collisions, changing sea levels, and continuous erosion. These natural processes gradually created a narrow, deep passage between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Today, it is recognized as one of the world’s critical global trade arteries, especially for oil transit.
Beyond its economic and commercial status, the Strait holds significant historical and archaeological value. For nearly six centuries, it has been the primary maritime trade route in the region.
Throughout history, colonial powers have attempted to control the Strait of Hormuz through invasion, diplomatic negotiations, and occasionally successful occupation. Rulers such as Nader Shah Afshar, Shah Abbas of the Safavid Dynasty, and leaders from the Pahlavi era all had international confrontations concerning the Strait.
The name “Strait of Hormuz” has various proposed origins. Some believe it comes from the nearby Hormuz Island. Others suggest it derives from the term “Hormogh,” related to palm groves.
Where Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz lies between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, acting as the only maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to open waters. To its north is Iran’s Minab County in Hormozgan Province, and to its south lies Musandam Peninsula in Oman.
The Strait is geographically divided into three parts: Iran’s territorial waters, Oman’s territorial waters, and international waters. Each nation is allowed only to monitor its respective coastline without interfering with the other's waters.
The Strait varies in width; however, military control over its breadth is feasible. According to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, all military and commercial vessels may pass through the Strait during peacetime.
The Iranian area adjacent to the Strait is classified as a military zone, and access requires special permits.
What Kind of Waterway Is the Strait of Hormuz? Global seas and oceans feature various waterways, but the most important characteristic of a functional strait is the width of its entrance. The Strait of Hormuz accommodates large vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships, making it strategically essential.
Approximately 30% of global oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, the UAE, Kuwait, and Iraq, all key OPEC members, export a significant share of their oil through this route. Qatar, the world's largest liquefied natural gas exporter, also relies exclusively on this passage.
Usage rights over the Strait belong to Iran and Oman. During peacetime, passage is permitted. However, during conflicts, both Iran and Oman may inspect passing ships. During the Iran-Iraq war, vessels passed through the Strait under specific regulations.
At its narrowest, the Strait of Hormuz is 39 kilometers wide and up to 96 kilometers at its broadest. Its navigable channel for shipping measures about 3.7 kilometers in width. The Strait stretches approximately 167 kilometers in length. It is deeper than the Persian Gulf, with depths around Larak Island reaching 36 meters and exceeding 100 meters near the Musandam Peninsula. By contrast, the deepest parts of the Persian Gulf do not exceed 90 meters. The Strait curves northward into Iran’s plateau, giving Iran more shoreline along it.
The Strait of Hormuz in the World Throughout history, the Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point for international disputes due to its sensitive location. Iran maintains significant military control over the Strait, aided by its numerous islands. While both Iran and Oman share rights to the Strait, Iran’s military strength grants it practical dominance.
The Strait ranks as the third-busiest maritime corridor globally. The Persian Gulf holds around 60% of the world's oil reserves and 40% of global gas reserves, making the Strait of Hormuz one of the planet's primary energy transfer routes. Ensuring its security directly impacts global energy supplies.
Oil exports through the Strait head to markets in Asia, the Americas, and Western Europe. Japan, for instance, imports over 75% of its crude oil through this corridor. These transfers occur via supertankers capable of carrying over two million barrels.
Any blockage of the Strait could cut off over 20 million barrels of oil per day, causing sharp spikes in global oil prices. A complete shutdown would halt approximately 90% of the Persian Gulf's oil exports, severely disrupting global trade.
Importance of the Strait of Hormuz Gulf countries export varying percentages of their oil through the Strait of Hormuz. For example, Saudi Arabia and Iran export around 90%, the UAE 99%, Iraq approximately 98%, and both Kuwait and Qatar export 100% of their oil and gas products via the Strait.
Beyond oil, over 50% of the region’s commercial transactions also rely on this route. The Strait thus stands as a vital artery for the global oil economy and a key international shipping lane. Even a single day of closure could dramatically increase oil prices worldwide.
Technically, if Iran were to close the Strait, reopening it could take from several days to up to three months, potentially reshaping global economic conditions.
The Strait of Hormuz on the Map Location: Between Hormozgan Province (Iran) and Musandam Peninsula (Oman)
By studying the Strait's geographical position alongside the neighboring Gulf countries and observing the volume of maritime traffic, one can better understand its unparalleled importance.
