Watch | The Strait of Hormuz explained: Why does this waterway matter to India and the world?

Tucked between Iran on one side and Oman and the United Arab Emirates on the other, the Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil choke point with around 20% of the world’s oil flowing through it each day. But this isn’t just a shipping route. It’s a pressure point in global geopolitics.

Rising tensions between Iran and Israel have put the Strait of Hormuz at risk with Iran threatening to block the waterway, which would affect the overall global economy. For India, a country that imports over 40% of its crude from Gulf nations, any disruption here could spell economic trouble.

In this explainer, we look at why the Strait of Hormuz is crucial, how instability here can affect global energy prices, and why countries like India—heavily dependent on energy imports—should watch this waterway closely.

Presentation: Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

Video: Shivaraj S