THE GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Abstract

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage, 55 km wide, located in the Middle East. It holds and plays a decisive geostrategic role in international relations due to its geographical position, as well as its economic and security significance.

First, because of its strategic geographic location, the Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to various oceans and seas, including the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It also serves as a maritime link between the Middle East and Asia.

Second, its importance is reflected in its regulation of a large portion of the global economy. In this regard, the Strait is a key transit route for more than 20 percent of the world’s consumption of hydrocarbons, as well as their derivatives. It is therefore a crucial chokepoint that regulates global trade and the world economy.

Finally, the Strait is a site of persistent security challenges and rivalries among major powers. Iran frequently uses the Strait as a means of pressure and deterrence when it perceives its interests to be threatened or its existence at risk, as illustrated by the recent U.S.-Israeli military operation “Epic Fury” in March 2026.

Divergent interpretations of the Montego Bay Convention on the Law of the Sea also generate tensions among major powers regarding the legal status of the Strait of Hormuz.

This study, based on documentary and academic research, primarily aims to demonstrate the importance of the Strait of Hormuz in international relations. It thus serves as a decision-making aid for the international community regarding the crucial role of the Strait and the need to consider strengthening its legal framework, given its vital importance to global affairs.