What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important? One user is insisting that the strait is something like 39 miles wide, based on a primary source, namely Google Maps, whereas EIA and other sources claim 21 miles. Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) prepare to offer rescue assistance to a burning vessel during a transit of the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2013 130311-N-ZQ631-124.jpg 1,024 × 682; 479 KB Strait of Hormuz, channel linking the Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea (southeast). The Strait of Hormuz is at the centre of rising tensions between Iran and the West. Width of the Strait: determine from map or from secondary sources? Learn more about the Strait of Hormuz in this article. The Strait of Hormuz is the world's single most important oil passageway, forming a chokepoint between the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. There is no place in the world more important for the global supply of oil than the Strait of Hormuz. Caption: Map showing a close-up of the geography around the Strait of Hormuz . Perhaps you mean the Straight of Hormuz: The Strait of Hormuz, is a sensitive geographical region connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea (aka Gulf of Oman). The narrow Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most, if not the most strategic strait of water on the planet. An estimated 20-40% of world oil supply -- primarily from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait -- travels through the Strait of Hormuz, which at its narrowest is only 21 mi (34 km) wide. Strait of Hormuz: Oil ‘choke point’ in focus as U.S. ends Iran waivers ... and the width of the shipping lane in either direction is just 2 miles, separated by a two-mile buffer zone. Container Traffic Handled at Main Ports around the Strait of Malacca; 5. Through its waters, in giant ocean-going tankers, passes much of the oil from Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In this case, the chokepoint is a strait, but it could also be a canal. The user hints at a conspiracy to lie about the width of the strait. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently reacted by describing the presence of external forces in the area as “unconstructive”. The Strait is among the world's most important oil chokepoints. The strait’s importance to the world lies in its strategic placement as a chokepoint. The Strait of Hormuz forms a strategic link between the oil fields of the Persian Gulf, which is a maritime dead-end, the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. The strait is 35 to 60 miles (55 to 95 km) wide and separates Iran (north) from the Arabian Peninsula (south). The 39km strait is … I ran would have big problems if it attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz, the only passage out of the Persian Gulf and into the Indian Ocean.. The Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz, the only way out of the Persian Gulf is a major international tradeway is at its narrowest point, 21 nautical (39km)Êmiles wide. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important strait between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Caption: Map showing a close-up of the geography around the Strait of Hormuz . Chokepoints are narrow water channels that are used for transportation. Importance of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman - the only passage from the oil-rich gulf to the Indian Ocean for maritime traffic. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important strait or narrow strip of water that links the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman ().The strait is only 21 to 60 miles (33 to 95 km) wide throughout its length. The French military announced that “Operation Agenor, the military component of the European-led Maritime Situation Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH), has reached full operational capacity”.