How the Strait of Hormuz works and why it matters to global oil supplies

By Al Jazeera English

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The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint through which about 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes each day. The narrow passage between Iran and Oman operates through designated shipping lanes, but the US-Israel war on Iran has increased uncertainty and risks for vessels navigating the strait. Several countries have alternative routes, including Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, the UAE's pipeline to Fujairah and Iraq's Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, while some shipping can be diverted around the Cape of Good Hope. But these alternatives cannot match Hormuz's capacity of about 20 million barrels of oil a day, making prolonged disruption a major threat to global energy supplies. Iran also has land and rail routes through Pakistan, Türkiye and the Caspian region, but these are slower, more expensive and far smaller than maritime trade. Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid explains how the Strait of Hormuz functions and why it remains difficult to replace. Subscribe to our

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