Hormuzstredet

Hormuzstredet, known in English as the Strait of Hormuz, is a narrow sea passage that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It lies between Iran to the north and the Musandam Peninsula of Oman to the south. The strait is approximately 50–55 kilometers wide at its narrowest point and is flanked by several islands, including Qeshm to the north and the Tunbs and Abu Musa near the mouth, whose sovereignty has been disputed.

The strait serves as a vital transit route for global energy shipments. All water traffic between the Persian Gulf and the open sea passes through Hormuzstredet, making it one of the world’s most strategically important chokepoints for petroleum and other energy products. Estimates of throughput vary, but a substantial share of the world’s seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through this waterway, highlighting its importance for international trade and energy security.

Security and governance in Hormuzstredet are complex. Because of its strategic value, the area has been the focus of regional tension and international naval operations aiming to ensure safe passage. The strait is governed by international law governing straits used for international navigation, including freedom of transit for ships in peacetime. The surrounding islands—Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa—have competing claims, contributing to the broader geopolitical sensitivity surrounding the strait.