Explainer: Hormuz crisis-Iran squeezes oil route, ships stalled, global trade risks rise

The Strait of Hormuz—a narrow but crucial sea route—has become the centre of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Since the war began on February 28, traffic through this corridor has dropped sharply, triggering a global energy shock and raising serious concerns for international trade. What is happening in the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz connects the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. Around one-fifth of global energy supplies normally pass through it. Before the conflict, more than 130 ships crossed daily. Now, only 3–4 ships per day are managing to…