Strait of Hormuz
Strategic waterway for global oil and gas trade.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, bordered by Iran to the north and the Musandam Peninsula (Oman and the United Arab Emirates) to the south. It is the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and a critical choke point for global energy trade, with 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas and 25% of seaborne oil passing through it annually during 2023–2025.
- length
- about 104 miles (90 nmi; 167 km)
- width
- varies from about 60 mi (52 nmi; 97 km) to 24 mi (21 nmi; 39 km)
- location
- between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman
- bordering_countries
- Iran (north), Oman and United Arab Emirates (south)
- key_role
- only sea passage from Persian Gulf to open ocean; major route for petroleum and fertilizer trade
- historical_crisis
- 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis during the 2026 Iran War
Lore & Background
The origins of the name 'Hormuz' are uncertain, with theories ranging from the Persian 'Hur-Mogh' (Place of Dates) to the Zoroastrian god Hormoz (Ahura Mazda), or the Greek 'hormos' (cove, bay). The strait was described in the 1st-century Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, and the Kingdom of Ormus was located here from the 10th to 17th centuries. From the 15th century, foreign powers like Portugal and later England contested control of the strait.
Several islands lie within the strait, including Hormuz, Qeshm, Larak, and Hengam, with some inhabitants descended from enslaved Africans. The Naaz islands join Qeshm at low tide and are part of the Qeshm Global Geopark. The strait's navigation follows a traffic separation scheme in Omani territorial waters, though very large vessels may need to use Iranian waters due to shallow areas near the UAE.
Iran and Oman expanded their territorial seas to 12 nautical miles by 1972, effectively closing the strait's narrowest section. Both countries have asserted restrictions on warship passage, which the U.S. does not recognize. The strait was not closed for extended periods before the 2026 Iran War, though Iran occasionally threatened closure.
Reader's Guide
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important choke points, providing the only maritime route for several Gulf countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. During 2023–2025, it carried 20% of global liquefied natural gas and 25% of seaborne oil trade, making it critical for energy supplies to Europe and Asia. Disruption to the strait can cause severe supply shortages, as highlighted during the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis when Iranian blockades closed the waterway.
The strait also handles up to 30% of internationally traded fertilizers, including urea and ammonia from major producers like Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Its significance extends to smuggling, with Khasab in Oman's Musandam Peninsula serving as a hub for illicit trade of electronics, appliances, and luxury vehicles to Iran. The strait's legal status remains contested, with Iran and Oman asserting restrictions on warship passage that the U.S. disputes, underscoring its enduring geopolitical importance.
Did You Know?
- The strait is about 104 miles long, with a width varying from about 60 miles to 24 miles.
- During 2023–2025, 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas and 25% of seaborne oil passed through the strait annually.
- The strait's name may derive from the Persian 'Hur-Mogh' (Place of Dates) or the Zoroastrian god Hormoz.
- The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis resulted from Iranian blockades during the 2026 Iran War.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway wedged between Iran to the north and the Musandam Peninsula (shared by Oman and the UAE) to the south, linking the enclosed Persian Gulf with the open waters of the Gulf of Oman. It stretches roughly 167 kilometers end to end and pinches down to about 39 kilometers at its narrowest stretch.
What are Strait of Hormuz's powers/role?
It functions as the sole maritime gateway out of the Persian Gulf, making it an irreplaceable choke point for international shipping. In the 2023–2025 window, roughly a quarter of all seaborne crude and one-fifth of the world's LNG moved through its waters every year.
How does Strait of Hormuz's story end?
The arc takes a sharp turn in 2026, when the waterway became the central flashpoint of the so-called Strait of Hormuz crisis during the wider Iran War. That episode highlighted how a single corridor can instantly become the epicenter of a major geopolitical confrontation.
Why is Strait of Hormuz important?
Because it is the only sea route connecting the Persian Gulf's vast oil and gas reserves to global markets, any blockage or disruption there threatens a substantial slice of the world's energy flow. Its strategic weight is further amplified by the heavy fertilizer and petroleum commerce that depends on this single corridor.
Where does Strait of Hormuz live?
It sits between the Persian Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the east, with Iran forming the entire northern shore while the southern shore belongs to Oman and the United Arab Emirates via the Musandam Peninsula.
More in Straits, Channels, And Seas 1-24
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