Why shutting the Strait of Hormuz would also hurt Iran

THE Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway for seaborne oil that has long been used by Iran as a geopolitical bargaining chip, with Tehran repeatedly threatening to close it during times of crisis.

- AFP

Iran again threatened its closure after Israel launched a massive air campaign earlier this month targeting nuclear and military sites, with the US "also striking key nuclear facilities Sunday. Iranian lawmakers floated the idea following the US attacks, though the decision remains with the National Security Council, Iran's highest security body.

Tehran has for decades threatened to close the strait every time tensions soared, but never acted on its warning.

The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf to the Indian Ocean and is situated between Iran and Oman's Musandam exclave. Its narrowness, at around 50 kilometres (30 miles), and shallow waters, at no more than 60 metres (200 feet) deep, make it vulnerable to being sealed off militarily.

The strait is dotted with sparsely inhabited or desert islands, which are strategically important, notably the Iranian islands of Hormuz, Qeshm and Larak.

Among them are also the disputed islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Mussa, which have been under Iranian control since 1971.