The Strait of Hormuz

Over the past month Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz if western powers target its oil exports. This map shows Iranian naval assets in the region along with international maritime boundaries, shipping lanes, terminals, pipelines and major oil and gas fields.

Military leaders have warned that 80 per cent of the UK’s liquefied natural gas imports would be halted if Iran made good its threat to block the Strait.

A closure of the Strait would leave Gulf states scrambling for alternative routes to export the millions of barrels a day of oil on which the world depends, and oil prices have risen above $110 a barrel since Iran’s threat to shut down Hormuz.

Sources: IHS Janes, Petroleum Economist, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Flanders Marine Institute, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency