Strait of Hormuz: 5 Essential Things to Know

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Iran's Supreme National Security Council is responsible for making the final decision on the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. airstrike. The Arabic news channel, Al Arabiya, reported that Iran has long used the threat of closing this strategic passage as a form of resistance against pressure from Western countries.

This threat has resurfaced in response to increased international pressure, especially after the U.S. attack targeting three nuclear facilities in Iran on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Despite the resurgence of the issue of closing the Strait of Hormuz, no final decision has been made yet, and parliament has not officially approved any related legislation.

"For now, [parliament has] come to the conclusion we should close the Strait of Hormuz, but the final decision in this regard is the responsibility of the Supreme National Security Council," said Esmail Kosari, a member of the parliament's national security commission. Kosari, also a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), previously told the Young Journalist Club that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is on the agenda and "will take place whenever necessary."

Getting to Know the Strait of Hormuz

Summarized from the Strauss Center, Hindustan Times, and Jagran Josh, here are some things to know about the Strait of Hormuz:

1. Connecting Iran and Oman

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and is the only passage for ships to enter and exit the Gulf region towards the Indian Ocean. Its strategic location makes it vital for global maritime traffic, especially in the oil trade. Being the sole link from the Gulf region, the strait plays a key role in the smooth distribution of global energy.

2. 33 Kilometers Wide

The Strait of Hormuz is approximately 33 kilometers wide at its narrowest point. A Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), which is recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has been implemented to regulate heavy ship traffic.

The TSS consists of two 2-mile-wide shipping lanes, each for inbound and outbound vessels, separated by a 2-mile buffer zone. Despite the limited maneuvering space, the waters in this passage are deep enough for huge oil tankers to pass through.

3. Most Important Oil Transit Point in the World

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Strait of Hormuz is the "most important oil transit chokepoint" in the world, with an estimated 20 percent of the world's oil consumption passing through it. While 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point, the waterway passage is much narrower, making it vulnerable to attacks and closure threats.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that by 2023, over 20 million barrels per day (mb/d) of crude oil and refined products, or nearly 30 percent of the global oil trade, will pass through the Strait of Hormuz. About 70 percent of this volume is destined for Asia, with China, India, and Japan being the main beneficiaries.

4. Blocking the Strait of Hormuz Would Cause Oil Prices to Rise

The Strait of Hormuz is a major shipping route for about 20 to 30 percent of the world's oil supply. Even a brief blockage of the strait could immediately trigger panic in the global energy market.

The uncertainty in supply would cause oil prices to spike dramatically due to concerns about scarcity. Major oil-importing countries, particularly those in Asia and Europe, depend heavily on the stability of this passage. Additionally, its impact is not limited to crude oil prices, but could also spread to other sectors such as transportation, manufacturing, and household consumption.

5. Iran Once Seized an Israeli Ship Near the Strait of Hormuz

In 2024, tensions in the Persian Gulf region escalated after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized a container ship named MSC Aries near the Strait of Hormuz.

The ship was known to have connections to a shipping company affiliated with Israel, which was the main backdrop for the action. This seizure occurred amid increasing regional conflict and diplomatic tensions between Iran and Israel, as well as Western countries supporting Israel.

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