Why is it so hard to pass through the Strait of Hormuz?

Why is it so hard to pass through the Strait of Hormuz?

The narrow Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula’s horn-shaped tip, serves as a vital maritime route for approximately 20% of global oil transportation. Recently, it has been rendered nearly impassable, with Iran asserting control over which vessels can navigate through the chokepoint. This disruption has reverberated across the globe, affecting energy markets and supply chains.

As the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran intensified, footage captured the chaotic flow of ships in the Gulf, highlighting the strategic significance of the strait. The conflict, which began on 27 February, has also led to heightened tensions, with Israeli forces targeting Hezbollah’s supply routes via the Litani River. Residents in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood have fled their homes as air strikes continue.

“Shelter in place and register your presence” was the UK Government’s urgent advice to British nationals, following the suspension of flights from Dubai. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the UK’s approach to the crisis, countering President Trump’s criticisms.

Iranians fleeing the country shared harrowing accounts of life under bombardment, while Iranian Americans in Los Angeles celebrated the conflict’s start with street dances. In Israel, a missile strike on Beit Shemesh left nine dead and 27 injured, according to emergency services. Meanwhile, explosions and smoke have become a nightly spectacle in Tehran, the capital under relentless Israeli airstrikes.

Video verified by the BBC shows a drone crash near the airport, alongside scenes of flames engulfing buildings and smoke rising over Beirut’s skyline. The Israeli military described its actions as “a wave of strikes” after ordering civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate. In Metula, bordering Lebanon, gunfire echoed through the streets, underscoring the intensity of the conflict.