Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil chokepoint

Iranian attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz are raising fears of a major disruption to global energy supplies. The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman is one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes, carrying around 20% of global crude exports from the Gulf to markets in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has reportedly warned vessels not to pass amid the ongoing US–Israel war with Iran. Any sustained disruption to traffic could push oil prices higher and drive up consumer costs worldwide, underscoring the strait's strategic importance.