What You Should Know About the Strait of Hormuz John F. McKeon

What You Should Know About the Strait of Hormuz 

John F. McKeon 

The Strait of Hormuz is the most vital artery in the global energy market, serving as the  sole maritime passageway for over a fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption. Nestled  between Oman and Iran, this narrow choke point connects the petroleum-rich Persian  Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the open oceans, making it a permanent focal point of  international geopolitics. Even a temporary disruption in its shipping lanes triggers a  catastrophic spike in energy prices and destabilizes the global economy as we are  currently witnessing. The Strait represents much more than a geographical feature; it is 

a critical vulnerability that dictates the foreign policy and security strategies of world  powers. 

The Strait has maintained its status as a vital strategic artery for centuries, evolving  from an ancient maritime trade route into the world's most critical energy chokepoint.  The Strait is just 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and 60 miles at its widest. Depth  requirements for large vessels limit the shipping lanes to about two miles wide in each  direction because the waters are not deep enough for oil tankers.  

 Historically connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, the Strait of Hormuz  facilitated the exchange of spices, silk, and ceramics, and was controlled by competing  empires seeking maritime dominance. In 1507 the Portuguese explorer Afonso de  Albuquerque seized Hormuz, establishing Portugal as the dominant power controlling  trade in the region. In 1622 Anglo-Persian forces, led by the English East India  Company and the Persian army under Shah Abbas I, captured Hormuz from the  Portuguese, ending their presence. The discovery of oil in the 20th century  exponentially increased its importance, transforming it into the primary exit for Middle  Eastern crude and liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumption passing through it daily.  

 Iran and Oman are the countries nearest to the Strait of Hormuz and share territorial  rights over the waters. Due to its importance, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of  Hormuz several times in recent history. In modern times roughly 20–25% of the world's  seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait, predominantly supplying Asian markets  like China, India, and Japan. During the Iran-Iraq War, both sides targeted tankers,  forcing international naval intervention to secure shipping lanes. Iran has also frequently  threatened to close the strait in response to US sanctions, using its geographical 

position as leverage in international disputes. Despite the creation of alternative  pipelines by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the strait remains irreplaceable, as most of its  cargo volume lacks an alternative exit route.  
 

 From the 1960s into the 1970s strategic importance skyrocketed with the rise of Very  Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). The Suez Canal was closed for exactly eight years following the outbreak of the Six-Day War, from June 5, 1967, until June 5, 1975. Egypt  blocked the waterway during this period due to the Israeli occupation of the Sinai  Peninsula, creating a major, long-term disruption to international shipping and oil trade making Hormuz the primary route for Persian Gulf oil. In 1972 the Strait was effectively  "closed" by the combined territorial waters of Iran and Oman, setting the stage for future  maritime claims.  

 During the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) in the phase of the war known as the "Tanker  War”, both sides attacked each other’s oil tankers to disrupt economies. In conjunction  Iran attacked Kuwaiti tankers, expanding the conflict to non-combatant nations, a  strategy being implemented currently by Iran on its neighbors. In 1987 through 1988 the  US Navy began "Operation Earnest Will" to re-flag and escort Kuwaiti tankers. Later in  April of 1988 in "Operation Praying Mantis," the US destroyed several Iranian ships and  oil platforms following the mining of the USS Samuel B. Roberts. That July the USS  Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 people on board, highlighting the  severe risks in the area. The 1990s disputes between Iran and the United Arab  Emirates over control of several small islands within the Strait of Hormuz resulted in  further threats to close the Strait. By 1992 however, Iran took control of the islands but  tensions remained high in the region throughout the 1990s.

The year 2007 brought more increased naval standoffs and Iran threatened to close the  Strait if the US or Israel attacked it. Iran has also habitually threatened to block the  strait in retaliation for international sanctions. In 2019 four ships, including two Saudi oil  tankers, were sabotaged near the UAE coast. The same year saw attacks in the Gulf,  as Iran shot down a US drone, and seized the British-flagged tanker Stena Impero.  

 In 2023 and 2024 Iran seized multiple ships near the strait, following US seizures of  Iranian-related oil. On March 3, 2026, near the strait, the Marshall Islands–flagged Libra  Trader reported being struck by a projectile approximately 10 nautical miles off the  coast of Fujairah, UAE. It sustained minor damage to its funnel, but no major injuries  were reported among the crew. Iran’s past threats of closure has prompted Gulf  countries to build pipelines, such as Saudi Arabia's 750 mile line, allowing them to  bypass the strait. 

 Till now the Strait of Hormuz has never actually been closed off. This is mainly due to  the fact that Iran’s economy critically depends on the shipment of oil through the strait.  What is evident is closure of the strait will cause new tensions between Iran and  countries like India and China to rise exponentially. Iran has set mines in and around the  shipping channels, and could attack with drones from the air or the coast when vessels  try to clear them. The US will likely respond again with even more significant military  force to reopen the key waterway. Potential actions include establishing naval escorts  for shipping, conducting mine-clearing operations, and targeting Iranian military assets  (missiles/drones) The US Navy would likely be used to escort oil tankers through the  strait to ensure energy security. US naval forces have deployed minesweepers and 

other assets to secure shipping lanes. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are asked to maximize  their oil pipeline capacity, which allows some oil to bypass the strait entirely. 

As of March 14, 2026, the question of whether "boots on the ground" will be needed  remains a subject of intense debate among military experts and high-level officials  following the recent closure of the waterway. While President Trump has expressed a  strong preference for using air and naval assets they have notably refused to rule out a  ground presence to ensure the strait remains open. There is significant speculation  regarding a limited ground intervention to seize Kharg Island, which is the "control  center" for 90% of Iran's oil exports. Seizing this island could halt Iranian revenue but  risks "mission creep" into the mainland. One alternative being floated is the use of  partner forces, such as Kurdish groups from Iraq, to provide a ground presence without  a large-scale deployment of US infantry. Rather than a full-scale invasion, many  analysts believe any "boots on the ground" would likely be limited to Special Forces for  surgical strikes or to secure specific coastal perimeters. Whatever happens, fully  reopening the strait could be complex and require an even more costly military effort. for  the US. 

Historian John F. McKeon lives on St. Croix USVI and in Southampton NY. He  holds degrees from Trinity College Dublin, (MPhil with Distinction). and St.  Joseph's University New York (Summa Cum Laude) B.A. East Asian History with a  Philosophy Capstone Minor in Labor, Class and Ethics. John also has certificate  from the Oxford University Epigeum Research Integrity Center. He is a currently a  member of the Society of Virgin Island Historians.