In Focus by The Hindu Strait of Hormuz Crisis: How the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran impacts global oil supply
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Mar 6, 2026 Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev, a retired Indian Foreign Service officer with 35 years' diplomatic experience and expertise in energy and West Asian geopolitics, breaks down why the Strait of Hormuz is the world’s key oil chokepoint. He outlines Iran’s control claims, possible U.S. naval escorts, non-closure disruption tactics, impacts on India’s imports and stockpiling limits.
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Why The Strait Of Hormuz Controls Global Oil
- The Strait of Hormuz is the world's critical energy choke point carrying over 20 million barrels a day, about one-fifth of global oil supply.
- Its narrowest point is ~21 miles wide with Iran and Oman bordering it, giving Iran geographic leverage over seaborne crude flows.
Control Claims Versus US Naval Escorts
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims control and could selectively allow or disallow ships, even saying only Chinese ships might be permitted.
- The US plans naval escorts and insurance subsidies to keep tankers moving, creating a standoff over navigational freedom.
Many Ways Iran Can Disrupt Energy Flows
- Disruptions need not be a full closure: Iran can use GPS jamming, raise insurance premiums, target ports, pipelines, refineries or intimidate personnel to choke flows.
- Different crude grades and product mixes (e.g., diesel vs aviation fuel) make shortages uneven and complex.