The Strait of Hormuz: What it is and why it matters to global trade
The Strait is the primary export route for Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, as well as Kuwait.advertisementIt is 33 kilometres wide at the narrowest point, while the shipping lane is only 3 km wide.ORIGIN OF THE NAMEThe link to the Persian Gulf was described as early as the first century, in the Peri-pus of the Erythraean Sea, but the description did not name the opening. During the 11th to 17th centuries AD, the eastern side of the Persian Gulf was occupied by the Kingdom of Ormus, and scholars think the strait may be based on the name of the kingdom."Ormus" is of Persian origin and derives from the word "Hur-mogh," which means "date palm." The Hurmoz and Minab tribes still call the strait "Hurmogh".WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?The Strait allows roughly 20 per cent of the world's daily oil consumption, which is around 20 million barrels, to pass through it. Between January 2022 and August 2023, about 17.8m to 20.8m barrels of crude, condensate and fuels were passing through the Strait each day, according to data from Vortexa, an analytics firm.Most of the members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) - Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq - ship most of their crude through the strait, most commonly to Asia.advertisementHowever, it has also been at the heart of regional tensions for years now and the problem seems to have escalated after the United States strike on three key nuclear facilities in Iran on June 21, which has put the spotlight back on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has long threatened to choke the Strait and may act upon it if matters come to that.IMPACTS OF DISRUPTIONThe closure of the Strait is likely to trigger an oil price spike that would have an almost immediate inflationary impact in the US and in many countries globally, including India. However, experts say this course of action by Iran would lead to dramatic economic self-harm. Iranian oil uses the same choke point, and closing Hormuz risks drawing GCC Arab allies into the war to defend their interests.It is also said that the closure of the Strait would impact China significantly. The second-largest economy in the world purchases nearly 90% of Iranian oil-export revenues, which are secluded because most other countries do not agree to abide by sanctions imposed by the Chinese government.The Strait of Hormuz continues to be an important geopolitical and economic area, with implications for global oil markets. It will be critical over the coming years that international diplomacy continues for all stakeholders, as this will affect energy security and global economic well-being.For those who have studied West Asia and its global ramifications, any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could affect consumer fuel prices and global economic recovery. For that reason, it is vital that stakeholders closely monitor developments as the Strait of Hormuz plays a significant role in international trade.Tune InMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
15 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
An enduring fortress of stone and history
Shahabad is a historical town about 26 km from Kalaburagi, where the two major rivers, Kagina and Bhima, flow. Old Shahabad was once a major administrative and cultural centre during the Bahmani Sultanate. .It also served as a sub-divisional administrative hub under the Nizams of Hyderabad, governing nearly 300 villages. In order to preserve the originality of Old Shahabad, a new township, New Shahabad, was developed around 3.5 km away, primarily due to the establishment of a railway station. .Shahabad is especially notable for its limestone, widely known as Shahabad stone, which comes in different shades such as yellow and grey, each possessing a distinctive visual in many nearby villages are built using this stone. The tradition of using limestone blocks for building construction in this region spans centuries. The stones have been used by various historical dynasties, including the Mauryas of Kanaganahalli (notably for the Ashoka-era stupa), the Rashtrakutas (in Malkhed Fort), the Bahmanis (in Shahabad Fort), and the Nizams in their palaces in Kalaburagi..A 14th-century fort, locally known as gadi, is a rare and historically significant example of early Shahabad stone architecture. The Shahabad Fort was built during the reign of the Bahmani rulers, sometime between 1397 and 1422 AD. The fort is one of the lesser-known but important regional monuments from the Bahmani period. Shahabad, along with other towns, formed a network of strategic settlements that were regularly used by the Bahmani Sultans for military campaigns. .When this ancient structure is compared to the recently constructed houses in the area, the basic construction method remains surprisingly similar. Limestone blocks are carefully stacked and aligned to form solid structural walls. The fort itself contains a row of gun slits embedded into the walls — an early form of defensive architecture. The fort features four watchtowers: Two cylindrical towers at the main entrance and two square-shaped towers at the rear. .The upper level of the bastions includes tapering three-layered stone supports that provide both functional overhang and architectural elegance. The western wall and its corresponding bastion remain relatively intact. The fort's layout is irregular, suggesting it may have been expanded over time without a fixed design plan. .At the southeast corner of the structure stands a square bastion, while the rear exit of the fort includes a small wooden door topped by a large stone arch. Once a thriving seat of local governance and military strength, the fort has now deteriorated and, regrettably, is often used as a dumping ground. .The eastern wall, connected to a bastion, is in particularly poor condition, though the top of the bastion has somehow endured. A portion of the fort compound is currently occupied by a private the walls of the fort lies a mosque known locally as the Gadi ki saat sutun Shahi Jama Masjid, constructed using locally quarried white stone. Although not widely documented in scholarly records, this mosque is an important religious structure preserved by the local the masjid is supported by 32 intricately designed pillars and 28 arches. Each arch displays a unique style, inspired by Persian and Turkish architectural traditions, indicating the cultural exchanges with these regions during the Bahmani roof of the mosque includes 21 domes. The front elevation features chajjas (stone eaves) attached to the roof, supported by stone slabs. These designs follow the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition and are also seen in older homes throughout the historic fort and its mosque currently do not fall under the protection or maintenance of any official heritage this, the structure remains an example of regional fort architecture, blending defensive engineering with cultural and religious heritage. With proper support, particularly from the State Archaeology Department, this neglected monument could be preserved, restored, and recognised as a valuable piece of Karnataka's historical and architectural legacy.
News18
16 hours ago
- News18
St Thomas Day 2025: History, Tradition And Yeshu Bhakti Divas Observance In India
Last Updated: St Thomas Day 2025: St Thomas Day was originally celebrated on December 21 as it was traditionally considered the date of his death. St Thomas Day 2025: St Thomas Day is observed globally on July 3. The celebration honours Saint Thomas, who was believed to be one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. The missionary is regarded as the patron saint of India. St Thomas Day was originally celebrated on December 21 as it was traditionally considered the date of his death. However, in 1969, the Roman Catholic Church moved the observance to July 3. St Thomas Day 2025: History It is said that St Thomas had arrived in India in 52 AD. He is credited with propagating the gospel of Jesus as far as the Indian subcontinent. Even though the date of the special day commemorating his life and legacy was changed in the latter half of the 20th century, most Anglicans stuck with the original date of the observance. The Eastern Orthodox Church, on the other hand, observes the occasion on October 6. St Thomas Day 2025: Significance St Thomas was allegedly stabbed to death at the Parangimalai hillock in present-day Chennai in AD 72. The site is now known as Saint Thomas Mount. It is believed that St Thomas's initial skepticism about the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the reason why he was given the nickname 'Doubting Thomas". He supposedly landed on the coastline of Kerala, at a location in present-day Thrissur district, when he reached India. Various religious texts reckon that Saint Thomas laid the foundation of Christianity in India and evangelised the populace of Malabar Coast. St Thomas Day 2025: Traditions Legend has it that St Thomas distributed among the poor the money that he was allotted when he was commissioned by an Indian king to construct a palace. In line with this particular tale, several customs associated with St Thomas Day seek to encourage charity. Special masses and prayer services are also hosted to mark the occasion. Regions with notable presence of Syrian Christians also witness special processions on St Thomas Day. Yeshu Bhakti Divas Observance In India Indian Christians celebrate Yeshu Bhakti Divas, also known as Indian Christian, on July 3. It is a relatively new observance. Aligned with St Thomas Day, Yeshu Bhakti Divas is meant as an annual occasion for Indian Christians to celebrate the 'person and message' of Jesus Christ. About the Author Bhaswati Sengupta First Published: July 03, 2025, 06:03 IST
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
In 17th-century Mughal-era Shalimar Bagh, palace complex, 3 heritage-era cottages unveiled after restoration
Once in a dilapidated condition, the palace complex in the 17th-century Mughal-era Shalimar Bagh in North Delhi has now been restored to its former glory. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday threw open to the public the revived Sheesh Mahal, a baradari (pavilion), and three heritage-era cottages. Of the three restored cottages, two have been adaptively reused — one now houses the 'Readers Café Corner', facilitating literary engagement, while 'Café Shalimar', the other, is where the visitors can come, eat, and enjoy with their loved ones. The third cottage has been repurposed for official use while maintaining its heritage character. The restoration was carried out by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) under the technical supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The work began following the L-G's visit to the site in January 2024. During that visit, the L-G had taken note of the dilapidated condition of the structures, which were buried under layers of silt and overgrown vegetation, according to the DDA. The Shalimar Bagh, DDA underlined, was built in 1653 and has witnessed multiple phases of Delhi's history — from the Mughal period to the British rule. As part of its restoration, while the ASI worked on conserving the architectural elements of Sheesh Mahal, the DDA redeveloped the surrounding garden in the traditional Char Bagh or a Persian-style garden layout. The baradari and cottages were restored using traditional material such as lakhori bricks, lime surkhi, lime concrete, and organic binders like gud, belgiri, and urad. Speaking at the unveiling event, Shekhawat said the Centre was committed to supporting conservation efforts in Delhi in line with the Prime Minister's vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' (development with heritage). Hitting out at the previous AAP government, Shekhawat said, 'When this restoration project was first taken up by L-G Saxena, there was a repulsive government in Delhi. Now, there is a double-engine force multiplying government in Delhi, and CM Gupta, this will transform Delhi into 'New Delhi' soon.' L-G Saxena said the project would help preserve Delhi's architectural legacy and urged citizens to safeguard such restored spaces from future neglect. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister gave credit to the L-G for taking the lead in protecting heritage sites across the Capital and thanked him for his 'constant guidance' in developmental work. DDA said the latest project follows its recent conservation work at sites such as Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, St. James Church, and Anangpal Tomar Van.
