The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important and vulnerable areas on the world map. Located between Iran and Oman, it connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a key transportation artery for global energy supplies. It is through it that a significant part of the world's exports of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass.
In recent years, this narrow waterway has become a symbol of geopolitical tension, especially in the context of Iran's threats to block the strait, which could be a response to external pressure or military influence. Although such actions remain in the warning stage, the consequences of such a scenario can be catastrophic.
Key facts about the Strait of Hormuz:
1. 21 million barrels of oil per day: About 21 million barrels of oil pass through the strait every day, which is about a third of the world's total maritime oil trade.
2. Territorial waters, not international ones: At the narrowest point of the strait (only 34 km wide) there are no international waters — there are exclusively territorial waters of Iran and Oman, which makes it particularly vulnerable to control or blockade by Tehran.
3. The price of oil will soar to $ 100-120 per barrel: The closure of the strait will cause an instant shock in the energy market. Experts predict a sharp jump in oil prices — at least to the level of $ 100-120 per barrel, which will hit the budgets of countries and the cost of living around the world.
4. China, India, Japan, South Korea are the main victims: These countries depend on cross-strait supplies more than others. Blocking the way will be an economic crisis for them, which will cause an increase in fuel and energy prices, which will inevitably provoke a surge in inflation and a slowdown in growth.
The United States and its allies have repeatedly stated that they will protect free navigation in the region by any means. However, given the growing tension around Iran and its nuclear program, as well as after a series of provocations and attacks on tankers in the area, the question is not about intentions, but about the real possibility of preventing escalation.
The Strait of Hormuz is not just a strip of water. It is the blood vessel of the global economy, and any damage to it can lead to a systemic crisis. And Iran, as the party controlling one of the sides of the strait, has a powerful instrument of pressure in its hands — even without a direct military conflict.
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