Strait of Hormuz: What Happens When Iran Shuts Oil Passage?
- account_circle Friska Putri Aryananta
- calendar_month 03 Maret 2026, 21:02 WIB
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Hasanah.id – Tensions in the Middle East have surged after Iran warned it could choke off traffic through the “strait of hormuz”, the world’s most critical oil artery. The threat follows US and Israeli strikes, sending tremors through global energy markets and raising fears of a fresh supply shock.
Iran says it will “set fire” to any ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the busiest maritime corridors on Earth. Tehran has also declared it will “not let a single drop of oil leave the region”, escalating concerns that a key global supply line could soon be disrupted.
Oil traders are already reacting. Brent crude briefly climbed to $82 per barrel this week after reports that at least three ships were attacked near the waterway over the weekend. Roughly 150 tankers are now stranded, according to Reuters, as insurers reassess the risks of operating in the area.
Where Is the Strait of Hormuz and Why It Matters So Much?
The Strait of Hormuz sits between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. At its narrowest point, it measures just 33km wide, though its entrance and exit span roughly 50km. Despite its tight dimensions, it is deep enough to accommodate the world’s largest crude oil tankers.
The corridor links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and serves as the primary export route for oil producers including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE alongside Iran itself.
According to estimates from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), about 20 million barrels of oil per day passed through the strait in 2025. That equates to nearly 20% of global oil and gas consumption, roughly $600 billion in annual energy trade.
In short: if the strait closes, the global economy feels it.
- Penulis: Friska Putri Aryananta
