What is the Strait of Hormuz? Why Iran has threatened to close it after US conflict
As Iran and Israel enter a ceasefire on June 24, the future of the conflict and U.S. involvement remains on unsteady ground, following Iran's retaliatory strike on an overseas U.S. military base one day prior.
Turmoil continues to roil the Middle East in a 12-day conflict that reached new heights June 21 after President Donald Trump authorized a series of U.S. missile strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Ever since, world leaders, markets and Americans have speculated how Iran might respond, with the first action of retaliation seen on June 23 when Iran fired several missiles at the largest U.S. military base in the region just outside of Doha, Qatar.
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While it is unclear if Iran's strikes on the Al Udeid Air Base marked the end of its response, the Islamic Republic still has another chess piece at its disposal should the conflict continue: the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major oil transportation route, ferrying around 20% of the world's oil and gas flow.
The narrow channel, whittling down to just 21 miles across at one point, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the wider Arabian Sea. The waterway's choke point is sandwiched by the Iranian coastline to one side and a small Omani peninsula on the other.
Replay: President Donald Trump addresses the nation after US bombs Iran
It is a vital route for exporting oil from major producers like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, and the UAE.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global energy flows, accounting for about 25% of global seaborne oil shipments and about 20% of liquified natural gas flows.
Iran has threatened to mine the strait in recent days to effectively block the transportation of oil, a disruption that would likely result in higher fuel costs for global consumers, including Americans, analysts told USA TODAY. If oil prices surge, the price of almost everything goes up as well.
Iran's parliament approved a measure the day after U.S. airstrikes hit three of its nuclear facilities, endorsing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, making it a possible option for retaliation, though the decision to close the channel ultimately belongs to Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Contributing: Medora Lee and Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY; Reuters.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the Strait of Hormuz? Iran threatens to close route
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