History of the Strait of Hormuz and 2 reasons for its importance

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the most vital waterways in the world, is located in the south of Iran and between the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea. Due to its strategic location, this gorge plays an unparalleled role in world trade, especially in the field of energy transfer. The low width of the gorge, which reaches about 2 kilometers at the thinnest point, and its relatively low depth has made the area one of the most sensitive geopolitical points in the world. In this article, we examine the comprehensive history of the Hormuz Strait, its economic, political and military importance, its historical role in the trade and culture of the region, and the challenges facing it.

History of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz has been known as a bridge between East and West civilizations for thousands of years because of its unique geographical location. This waterway has not only the path of trade but also a cultural and political exchange site.

Ancient times

In ancient times, the Strait of Hormuz was used as part of the commercial routes of large empires such as the Achaemenids and the Sassanids. Ancient ports such as Hormuz, Qeshm and Siraf became important business centers during this period. Businessmen from India, China, Africa and even Europe used this route to trade goods such as silk, spices, pearls and recurrence. The Achaemenids played an important role in the development of the area by creating marine infrastructure, such as docks and commercial fleets.

Islamic period

With the advent of Islam in the seventh century, the Strait of Hormuz became one of the most important routes of world trade. During this period, the city of Hormuz was recognized as one of the main centers of trade in the Persian Gulf. Arab, Iranian and Indian merchants gathered in the port and exchange goods such as fabrics, spices, precious metals and precious stones. In the Middle Ages, the gorge was known as part of the Marine Silk Road and played an important role in connecting East Asia to Europe.

The era of colonialism

In the 5th and 6th centuries, the Strait of Hormuz became the field of European colonial powers competition. The Portuguese occupied the island of Hormuz in year 6 and took control of the waterway by building military fortress. The occupation continued until year 4 until the Iranian Safavid forces, in collaboration with the British East India Company, succeeded in reclaiming the island. This period illustrates the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for world powers.

Modern era

With the discovery of oil in the Persian Gulf in the early twentieth century, the importance of the Strait of Hormuz increased dramatically. This gorge became the main highway of oil transfer to world markets. During the Cold War, the Strait of Hormuz became more important because of the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Also during the Iran-Iraq war (1-5), the gorge saw numerous tensions, including the “tanker war”, during which commercial ships were attacked.

The reasons for the importance of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important parts of the world for many reasons, including geographical location, economic, geopolitical and military role.

1. Economic importance

The Strait of Hormuz is the main highway of the world’s energy transfer. According to reports from the US Energy Information (EIA), about 2 percent of the world’s crude oil and 2 percent of the oil transmitted through the strait passes through the strait. Oil -producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates depend on this path. In addition to oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other commercial goods are also transferred from this strait. The economic value of this gorge is such that any disorder can severely affect the price of energy in the world.

2. Geopolitical Importance

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic point in world politics because of its geographical location, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. This gorge is located near key countries in the region such as Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Controling or influencing this waterway can mean dominating the global trade flow. For this reason, world powers such as the United States, China and the European Union pay particular attention to the region.

1. Military importance

The low width of the Hormuz Strait (about 2 kilometers at the thinnest point) and its relatively low depth (about 2 meters in some places) has made the water a sensitive military point. The presence of international military fleets, especially the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, reflects the strategic importance of the region. Iran also plays an important role in securing the waterway by establishing military bases on islands near the Strait, such as Qeshm and Hormuz.

1. Cultural and historical importance

The Strait of Hormuz has hosted a variety of cultures because of its historical role in trade and cultural exchange. The area has witnessed cultural interactions between Persian, Arabic, Indian and African civilizations and is still recognized as a cultural center in the region. The islands of Hormuz and Qeshm are important tourist destinations with their natural and historical attractions, such as the Portuguese castle and the Hormuz Salt Dome.

Challenges and threats

The Strait of Hormuz has always been exposed to many challenges and threats because of its high importance:

1. Political and military tensions

Political disputes between the Gulf states, especially between Iran and some Arab countries, can endanger the security of the Strait of Hormuz. In recent years, incidents such as the seizure of ships or attacks on tankers have created tensions in the area.

2. The risk of closing the gorge

Any disruption or closure of the Strait of Hormuz, even for a short period of time, can have catastrophic impacts on the global economy. For example, if the gorge is closed, the Gulf oil -affiliated countries will face a shortage of energy and oil prices will rise sharply.

1. Environmental challenges

The high traffic of ships in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the risk of oil leakage and environmental pollution. This can cause serious damage to the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea marine ecosystem, including corals and marine species.

1. Non -traditional security threats

In addition to military threats, the Strait of Hormuz also faces challenges such as piracy, smuggling of goods and cyber threats. These issues require international cooperation to ensure the security of this waterway.

Iran’s role in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran plays a key role in the management and security of the Strait of Hormuz because of its geographical location and strategic island controls such as Qeshm, Hormuz, Lark and when. The Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are responsible for securing this waterway. Iran has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to maintaining the free flow of trade and security of the Strait. However, political tensions and international sanctions have sometimes complicated Iran’s relations with other countries in the region.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz

Given the global changes in the field of energy, such as moving towards renewable energies, the future dependence of the world on the Gulf oil may be reduced. However, the Strait of Hormuz will continue to maintain its importance because of its strategic position and role in world trade. Regional and international cooperation is essential to maintain the security and stability of this waterway.

Strait of Hormuz: The confluence of history, politics and trade

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important waterways in the world because of its rich history, unique geographical location and a key role in world energy trade. This gorge is of particular importance not only economically but also geopolitical, military and cultural. Maintaining security and stability in this region is critical not only for the Gulf states but also for the whole world. International cooperation, responsible management and attention to environmental issues can ensure a sustainable future for this strategic waterway.