Why This Narrow Strait Next to Iran Is So Critical to the World’s Oil Supply
Share
[aggregation-styles]
The New York Times
The New York Times
Twenty percent of the global oil supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow stretch of water that separates Persian Gulf countries like Iran, Iraq and Kuwait from the rest of the world.
From May 15 to June 15, more than 1,000 tanker ships traveled the strait. Many were destined for places as far away as China and South Korea.
The gulf region has been rocked by instability in recent months, threatening the flow of oil through the strait. Six tankers have been attacked since May amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.
In the past year, the United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran meant to cripple the country over its nuclear program. Some of the measures have targeted the country’s oil exports, long the lifeblood of its economy. Iran, in defiance, said on Sunday that it would begin enriching uranium at higher levels, breaching an international accord.
From May 15 to June 15, more than 1,000 tanker ships traveled the strait. Many were destined for places as far away as China and South Korea.
The gulf region has been rocked by instability in recent months, threatening the flow of oil through the strait. Six tankers have been attacked since May amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.
In the past year, the United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran meant to cripple the country over its nuclear program. Some of the measures have targeted the country’s oil exports, long the lifeblood of its economy. Iran, in defiance, said on Sunday that it would begin enriching uranium at higher levels, breaching an international accord.
By Karl Russell, Denise Lu & Anjali Singhvi | 7 July 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’
Sports /
9 hours ago
The Many Names of GOP Vice Presidential Nominee JD Vance
Latest /
9 hours ago
Companies Cut Prices to Boost Sales, Consumers Respond
Business /
10 hours ago
Warner Bros. Discovery Sues NBA for Not Accepting Its Matching Offer
Sports /
10 hours ago
Will Bonta Election Lawsuit Reverse the Will of Fresno County Voters?
Politics /
10 hours ago
Latest
Videos
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26170645/Gage-Mason-20-was-sentenced-to-29-years-in-state-prison-for-sexually-assaulting-multiple-children-and-a-dog-and-will-also-be-required-to-register-as-a-sex-offender-1024x538.jpg)
Crime /
8 hours ago
Fresno Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexually Assaulting Children and Dog
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26161707/Tommy-Hopfe-with-the-Colorado-Rockies_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Sports /
8 hours ago
Bulldogs’ Two-Position Standout Tommy Hopfe Signs With Rockies
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26145457/image-2024-07-26T145350.189-1024x576.jpeg)
Sports /
9 hours ago
Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26154603/Republican-vice-presidential-candidate-Sen.-JD-Vance-R-Ohio-speaks-at-a-campaign-rally-July-22-2024-in-Radford-Va.-Vance-introduced-himself-to-the-world-in-2016-when-he-published-his-bestse-1024x538.jpg)
Latest /
9 hours ago