11 October 2026
Article by Erik Broekhuizen, Poten & Partners
A lot has been written about the Strait of Hormuz this year. It is a vital global energy choke point situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, bordered by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. In the oil and tanker markets it was well known as a potential risk factor because roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil trade (crude oil and refined products) passes through this 20-24-mile-wide passageway. However, after the start of the U.S. – Iran conflict on February 28 of this year, the Strait of Hormuz has also featured frequently in the mainstream press, and it has become a household name. Shortly after the start of the conflict, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “closed”, wreaking havoc in the oil markets. Ever since, there has been a tug of war between the United States and Iran about control of this waterway.
In the early stages of the war, Iran seemed to have the upper hand in the Strait of Hormuz. Immediately following the US strikes, Iran effectively closed the Strait. Traffic through the waterway plummeted by over 95%, leaving hundreds of tankers (and other ships) stranded and causing historic disruptions to global energy supplies. Iran used its control over the Strait of Hormuz to choke of Persian Gulf exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, while – at least initially – being able to maintain its own exports.
Read the full article HERE.