Why in news
- Military tension escalated near the Strait of Hormuz following claims of strikes on maritime vessels in the Persian Gulf transit corridor.
Geographical Significance
- Narrow maritime strait connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.
- Bordered by Iran to the north and Oman / United Arab Emirates (Musandam Peninsula) to the south.
- Acts as the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint, handling over 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
Strategic and Economic Implications
- Primary maritime route for crude oil exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, and Iran.
- Vital transit route for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports originating from Qatar.
- Disruptions directly impact Indian crude oil imports, freight shipping insurance premiums, and energy security.
Key terms
Chokepoint
A narrow international sea route with high shipping volume critical for global commerce and energy supply.
Prelims facts
- Strait of Hormuz connects Persian Gulf to Gulf of Oman.
- Musandam Peninsula (Oman enclave) forms the southern coast of the strait.
Mains discussion
- Vulnerability of Indian energy security to maritime instability in Middle Eastern chokepoints.
Source: LiveMint News
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q13 · GS I · 15 marks
The model of planned economy was adopted in India to address the regional imbalances left behind by colonial rule. Comment. -
2026 · Q13 · GS II · 15 marks
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2026 · Q20 · GS II · 15 marks
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2026 · Q69 · General Studies · 2 marks
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