Strait of Hormuz

March 12, 2026 10:04 AM

West Asia conflict enters day 12 as Strait of Hormuz tensions escalate

The conflict in West Asia has entered its twelfth day, with the past several hours witnessing some of the most serious escalations so far, particularly around maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States Pentagon says American forces destroyed sixteen Iranian boats believed to be involved in laying naval mines in the strait after reports that Tehran had begun deploying explosive devices that could block one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. The development comes...

March 11, 2026 10:44 AM

What are the challenges in securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz?

The Pentagon is looking at ways to escort ships safely through the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said on Tuesday. About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the strait but Iran, which lies on its northern coast, has effectively closed it. Traffic through the strait has dropped by 97% since the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28, according to United Nations data. The U.S. is seeking to calm oil m...

March 2, 2026 9:32 PM

EU calls gas supply group meeting in response to Iran conflict

The European Union's gas supply coordination group will meet on Wednesday to discuss the impact of the expanding conflict in the Middle East, a European Commission spokesperson told Reuters after European gas prices leapt by more than 50%. The gas coordination group includes representatives from EU governments, monitors gas storage and security of supply, and coordinates response measures during crises. The EU's oil coordination group will also meet within 48 hours. Earlier on Monday, a spokes...

March 1, 2026 12:23 PM

What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important for oil?

The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday in a development that could lead to a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil export route, for days. Below are details about the strait: WHAT IS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ? The strait lies between Oman and Iran and links the Gulf north of it with the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Arabian Sea beyond. It is 21 miles (33 km) wide at its narrowest point, with the shipping lane just 2 miles (3 km) wide in either direction. WHY DOES IT MAT...

June 23, 2025 1:51 PM

Any Iranian closure of Hormuz Strait would be ‘extremely dangerous’, EU’s top diplomat says

An Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be dangerous and "not good for anybody", the European Union's top diplomat said on Monday. "The concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge, especially closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody," Kaja Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting with EU foreign ministers. Iran's Press TV reported on Sunday that Iran's Supreme National Security Council needed to make a...

June 23, 2025 10:15 AM

Satellite images indicate severe damage to Fordow, but doubts remain

Commercial satellite imagery indicates the U.S. attack on Iran’s Fordow nuclear plant severely damaged - and possibly destroyed - the deeply-buried site and the uranium-enriching centrifuges it housed, but there was no confirmation, experts said on Sunday. “They just punched through with these MOPs,” said David Albright, a former U.N. nuclear inspector who heads the Institute for Science and International Security, referring to the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busting bombs that the...

June 23, 2025 9:14 AM

Iran Parliament Approves Strait of Hormuz Closure Following U.S. Nuclear Strikes as Global Energy Crisis Looms

Iran’s parliament has unanimously approved a dramatic proposal to close the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most critical oil and gas shipping route—in direct retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While the decision signals a potentially catastrophic escalation with global repercussions, final authority to implement the closure lies with Iran's Supreme National Security Council, which has not yet issued a formal order. U.S. Secretary ...

June 18, 2025 3:39 PM

The Strait of Hormuz: The Oil Artery at the Heart of the Iran-Israel Conflict

One of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz is central to discussions and analyses focused on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Located between Oman and Iran, the strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is deep and wide enough to accommodate the world’s largest crude oil tankers, making it a vital artery at risk of disruption as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate. Although Iran has threatened to close the strait in the ...

June 13, 2025 3:22 PM

Shadow of War Falls Over Strait of Hormuz After Israel Strikes Iran

Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iran, which has denied such intentions, has in the past threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz for traffic in retaliation to Western pressure. Experts have said that any closure of the strait could restrict trade and impact global oil prices. Below are de...

October 4, 2024 4:27 PM

Israel-Iran conflict will not significantly impact India’s crude oil imports

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is unlikely to have a significant impact on India's crude oil imports, as analysts point out that India sources only a negligible volume of oil from Iran. The country currently imports oil from around 40 nations, including major suppliers like Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and the USA, allowing India to effectively manage its supply needs. However, the geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran could lead to increased price volatility in...