T HE STRAIT of Hormuz is tricky for mariners at the best of times—narrow, shallow, congested and often hazy with humidity and dust. In times of conflict, it is a potential death

Strait of Hormuz explained: its location, oil trade importance, geopolitical tensions, and why this vital waterway impacts global energy and security.

Trump's threat follows a dramatic collapse in maritime traffic through the narrow passage, which normally carries a large share of global oil and gas shipments.

The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed. Since the beginning of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, oil tanker traffic through the world’s most critical oil shipping choke point has collapsed,

Iran is using smaller crafts to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, two U.S. officials said.

The Middle East conflict has stoked fears of prolonged disruption to global trade via key maritime corridors.

The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes. Tankers traveling through the strait, which is bordered in the north by Iran, carry oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and Iran. Most of that oil goes to Asia.