Why in News?
The United Arab Emirates and Iran’s military have started their annual Drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The maneuvers are aimed at improving readiness in confronting foreign threats and any possible invasion.
About Strait of Hormuz
- Strait of Hormuz, also called Strait of Ormuz is a channel linking the Persian Gulf (west) with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- The strait is 35 to 60 miles (55 to 95 km) wide and separates Iran (north) from the Arabian Peninsula (south).
- It contains the islands of Qeshm (Qishm), Hormuz, and Hengām (Henjām).
- The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil chokepoint because of the large volumes of oil that flow through the strait.
History
- Iran and world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.
- In 2018, then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents.
- Talks in Vienna about reviving the deal have been on a pause since March.
- Since the deal’s collapse, Iran has been running advanced centrifuges and rapidly growing stockpile of enriched uranium.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Strait of Hormuz:
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel located at the entrance of the Persian Gulf, linking the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It separates Iran to the north from the Arabian Peninsula to the south.
A2: The Strait of Hormuz is considered the world’s most important oil chokepoint. It is crucial for global energy security because it is a major transit route for oil tankers, with a significant volume of the world’s oil passing through the strait. It is estimated that around 20% of the world’s oil supply is transported through this strategic waterway.
A3: The United Arab Emirates and Iran’s military recently conducted their annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz. The purpose of these maneuvers is to enhance readiness in confronting foreign threats and potential invasions.
A4: In 2015, Iran and world powers reached a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under this agreement, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. However, in 2018, the United States, under the administration of then-President Donald Trump, unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal, leading to increased tensions in the region.
A5: Talks have been ongoing to revive the nuclear deal since the U.S. withdrawal in 2018. However, negotiations in Vienna have been on pause since March. Iran has been running advanced centrifuges and increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium since the collapse of the deal. The status and future of the nuclear deal remain uncertain.
