We are in the midst of what could be an unprecedented and escalating global energy crisis.

The weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran involves using its strategic location to threaten global energy supplies (~25% of seaborne oil) as retaliation against U.S.-Israeli strikes, often through asymmetric tactics like mining, drone attacks, and vessel seizures. This “calculative existential card” gives Iran immense leverage to shake the global economy and force international intervention in the Persian Gulf.

Iran has effectively disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the February 28 joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that triggered the conflict.

“If Iran doesn’t fully open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first!” was US president Donald Trump ‘s statement in response to Iran blocking the strait.

We are ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf. Ships not linked to Iran’s “enemies” can transit the strait by coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran,” Reuters quoted Ali Mousavi, Iran’s permanent representative to the IMO, the UN’s maritime agency, as saying.

The effective closure of the strait has the potential to remove some 20 million barrels per day (mmb/d) from global oil supply, or about 20 percent of global petroleum liquids consumption. To put that in perspective, the Arab Oil Embargo of the 1970s removed approximately 4 mmb/d from the global oil market, or just 7 percent of consumption at that time. To deal with this crisis, the member states of the International Energy Agency (IEA) agreed this week to release 400 mmb of oil reserves. Of that, the United States is slated to release 172 mmb of the 415 mmb it has in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

With nearly one-fifth of global oil supply passing through the narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman, the strait is a critical chokepoint for global energy. Hormuz, from whatever I read, comes from Ahura Mazda, the God of the Zoroastrians or Parsis. Iran, or Persia as it used to be, was a Zoroastrian kingdom. For hundreds of years, the predominant religion in Persia was Zoroastrianism.

Strait of Hormuz, entry to it from the Arabian Sea—Gulf of Oman on the western side and Arabian Sea southwards—is through this very tiny inlet, almost U-shaped. That is the strait between Omani territory. Now you might say where is Oman? Oman’s a little bit of a distance away. That’s because Oman has its enclave here called Musandam Peninsula.Between that and the Iranian territory, this is very narrow and the Iranians have now said that they’re blocking it and will fire at any ship going through it.

The History of Weaponising the Strait of Hormuz

1980S: IRAN-IRAQ ‘TANKER WAR’

During a deadly, 8-year-long war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s, both sides attacked tankers and other vessels in and nearby the Strait of Hormuz, using naval mines to shut down traffic at points. The U.S. also got involved in the so-called Tanker War — with the Navy even fighting a one-day battle against Iran in 1988.

2011–2012: IRAN THREATENS CLOSURE DURING NUCLEAR SANCTIONS

At the end of 2011 and into 2012, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to new sanctions from the West over its nuclear development program.

2018: MORE CLOSURE THREATS AFTER US WITHDRAWS FROM NUCLEAR ACCORD

In May 2018, during his first term in office, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from an Obama-era nuclear accord with Iran and began to restore sanctions. Despite some waivers, Trump vowed to eventually cut off all Iranian oil exports. In response, then- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani repeated threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.

Impact on India

Closure of the Strait of Hormuz would severely impact India, causing soaring energy prices, supply chain disruptions, and high inflation. As a major energy importer (85% oil dependence), India faces significant risks to its crude oil, LNG, and fertilizer supplies, with about 50–55% of these imports transiting this route. The crisis could cause stagflation, weaken the rupee, and trigger severe economic strain due to increased insurance and freight costs.