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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
World

Hormuz, Malacca and other key straits spawn tensions throughout history

World map showing the importance of selected maritime routes to international trade, with traffic volume observed between January and June 2026, based on data from IMF PortWatch and Global Fishing Watch

PARIS (FRANCE) - Hormuz and a handful of maritime straits around the world have served as the linchpin of global trade since the 16th century and have fuelled geopolitical rivalries throughout history.

As Iran tightens its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, its Yemeni allies, the Houthi rebels, want to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea to and from Saudi ports and could possibly disturb traffic in another strait, Bab el-Mandeb, which ships must cross to reach the Suez Canal, experts say.

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