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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Jillian Ambrose Energy correspondent

What is the strait of Hormuz and why is it crucial for oil supplies?

Smoke rises from oil tanker
An oil tanker that ignored the closure of the strait of Hormuz appears to be on fire on 1 March. Photograph: Noor Pictures/Shutterstock

The US-Israeli war on Iran has ignited fears that escalating military aggression in the Middle East could send oil prices soaring, push up prices at the pump and drive a global economic downturn.

The US began “major combat operations” in Iran on Saturday morning, shortly after Israel launched a strike against Tehran. Within hours of the US-Israeli strikes, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reportedly warned tankers in the strait of Hormuz that no ship would be allowed to pass through the world’s most critical oil trade route.

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