Between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, a strait only 33 kilometers wide tugs at the nerves of the global energy market. The importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic artery known as the "oil valve of the world" and which carries about 20% of the world's oil transportation every day, cannot be overstated. The recent escalation of tensions in the region has once again put the narrow waterway in the international spotlight.

As the world's most important energy transportation route, the strategic value of the Strait of Hormuz is incalculable. About 21 million barrels of crude oil pass through the waterway every day, equivalent to one-third of the global seaborne oil trade, according to the data. The narrowest part of the strait is only 33 kilometers, of which the navigable channel is only 3 kilometers wide, forming a natural "throat" artery. For Asian countries that depend on Middle Eastern oil, the safety of this waterway is directly related to the lifeblood of energy security.

The current geopolitical landscape in the Straits region is complex. Iran and the United States have long been in a standoff here, and relations between neighboring Arab countries and Iran are strained, and various non-state actors are active here. A number of oil tanker attacks since 2023 have highlighted the fragility of this water. Expert analysis pointed out that any major conflict could lead to the closure of the strait, triggering violent shocks in the global energy market.

The impact of the Straits crisis on the global economy has spread in multiple dimensions. First, oil prices will be under pressure to soar, with the International Energy Agency predicting that the closure of the strait could cause oil prices to soar above $200 a barrel in the short term. Second, global supply chains will suffer, especially in Asian manufacturing countries, which are highly dependent on energy from the Middle East. In addition, the issue of energy security will once again become a strategic priority for all countries, and the diversification of energy resources will be accelerated.

Faced with this strategic challenge, the international community is seeking a multi-pronged solution. On the one hand, the U.S.-led joint escort operations continue; On the other hand, countries in the region are actively promoting diplomatic dialogue. At the same time, the construction of alternative energy corridors is also accelerating, including the expansion of the Arab oil pipeline and the development of the China-Russia energy corridor. In the long run, energy transition and the construction of reserve systems will become the key to the response strategies of all countries.

Developments in the Strait of Hormuz will continue to affect global nerves. In the complex game between energy security and geopolitics, the improvement of international cooperation and crisis management mechanism is particularly important. The 33-kilometre waterway reminds the world that in today's globalized world, any localized crisis can turn into a systemic risk that needs to be addressed by the international community.(This article is from the official website of Seetao www.seetao.com. Reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited. Please indicate Seetao.com + original link when reprinting) Seetao.com Strategy Column Editor/Sun Fengjuan