strait of hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow 21‑mile (34 km) waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, separating Iran’s Musandam Peninsula from the United Arab Emirates’ emirate of Ras al‑Khaimah. It is one of the world’s most strategic chokepoints for oil transport—about a fifth of global petroleum passes through it—making it a focal point of geopolitical tension, especially between Iran and Western naval forces. The strait’s depth (up to 180 ft/55 m) accommodates large tankers, and its narrowest points are only 0.6 mi (1 km) wide, creating navigational challenges and making it vulnerable to closures or attacks. Views Nigeria