Business · Associated Press Technology
When the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, Iran retaliated with attacks that effectively closed the Strait
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Here is a look at the strait’s significance in maps and charts.
Key facts
- At its narrowest point, the strait is roughly 21 miles (34 kilometers) wide
- In the United States, a major oil exporter, the nationwide average price of gas is above $4 a gallon, up more than a dollar since the start of the war
- When the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, Iran retaliated with attacks that effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz
- As of March 17, Iran had only targeted around 20 tankers directly, but the threat has been enough to drive up insurance costs and dissuade others from attempting passage
Summary
When the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, Iran retaliated with attacks that effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage of water between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil typically flows through the Strait of Hormuz every day. At its narrowest point, the strait is roughly 21 miles (34 kilometers) wide. Ships travelling the strait must follow narrow shipping lanes to safely navigate the shallow water, making it even more of a chokepoint.