The Persian Gulf is the most consequential body of water in the global economy. Its narrow exit — the Strait of Hormuz, just 33 kilometres wide at its narrowest point — acts as a valve through which flows an extraordinary share of the world’s energy and agricultural inputs. A sustained closure of that valve by Iran will trigger an economic shock with few historical precedents.
Let’s look at the three commodity categories most exposed to such a disruption: crude oil and refined petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and urea, the nitrogen fertiliser upon which modern agriculture depends. Together, these three flows underpin not just energy markets but global food security, industrial production, and the fiscal stability of dozens of nations.
The Strait of Hormuz: A Single Point of Failure
Roughly 20–21 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz every day, representing approximately 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption and around 30% of seaborne crude trade. The Gulf states bordering this corridor — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and Qatar — collectively hold the majority of the world’s proven oil reserves and a dominant share of global LNG export capacity.
There is no adequate alternative. The East-West …read more
Source:: Ron Paul Institute
