What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the 'busiest oil route' and provide Strait of Malacca (over 23 mn bpd) as an option, but the question will specify 'from the Gulf region' or 'for LNG', making Hormuz correct. They may also swap the connecting water bodies (e.g., Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 20 million barrels per day & 20% of global oil supply via Strait of Hormuz. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran. 3. Target this Geography: Strait connects Persian Gulf (West) to Gulf of Oman (East); narrowest point is 33 km.

International RelationsGeography

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 24 of 27

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Choking 20% of Global Oil Supply (20 Million Barrels/Day) Amid US-Israel Conflict

Q: The Strait of Hormuz separates which of the following countries?

Iran and the United Arab Emirates, As per the article, the strait connects Iran to the north from Oman and UAE to the south. While Oman is also to the south, the UAE is explicitly mentioned and is a primary littoral state alongside Iran.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz: 1. It is the world's busiest oil transit route, carrying over 23 million barrels of oil per day. 2. At its narrowest point, it is approximately 33 kilometres wide. 3. Major oil producers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pipelines that can completely bypass it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Only 2, Statement 1 is incorrect: The article states the Strait of Hormuz carries 20 million barrels per day, while the Strait of Malacca carries over 23 million. Statement 2 is correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect because the article mentions bypass pipelines account for 'only a fraction' of the capacity, not a complete bypass.

Q: According to the article, what percentage of global oil and gas supply typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz?

About one-fifth (20%), The article explicitly states that the Strait of Hormuz 'caters to a fifth of global oil and gas' and that 'the world’s 20% of crude and petroleum products pass' through it.

Q: What is the primary strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz as highlighted in the news article?

It serves as a critical chokepoint for a large share of the world's seaborne oil and LNG exports., The article's core focus is on the strait's role in transporting 20 million barrels of oil daily (20% of global supply) and LNG, making it a vital energy chokepoint. Its closure directly impacts global oil markets, which is the central theme.

Intl. Relations Environment Security & DefenceHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

12 Mar 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:20 million barrels per day20% of global oil33 kilometres wideFebruary 28, 2026

Bodies:IRGC

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz after US-Israel strikes, halting the flow of 20 million barrels of oil per day, which constitutes 20% of global supply.

2.The strait is a critical maritime chokepoint, only 33 km wide, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and is difficult to bypass despite some pipelines.

3.The incident underscores the weaponization of geography in international conflicts and its direct impact on global energy security and economics, a key area for examiner focus.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz following US-Israel strikes has triggered global oil market volatility, blocking a critical chokepoint for 20% of the world's oil supply. This event highlights the strategic vulnerability of global energy flows and the geopolitical significance of maritime choke points, a recurring theme in International Relations and Geography syllabus.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Daily Oil Flow20 million barrels

Share of Global Oil20% (one-fifth)

Narrowest Width33 kilometres

Closure Date (approx.)From February 28, 2026

1-Minute Revision

›Daily Oil Flow: 20 million barrels
›Share of Global Oil: 20% (one-fifth)
›Target this Data: 20 million barrels per day & 20% of global oil supply via Strait of Hormuz.
›Target this Nodal Body: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran.
›Target this Geography: Strait connects Persian Gulf (West) to Gulf of Oman (East); narrowest point is 33 km.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

🚢

Strategic Chokepoint

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a 33-km wide passage, has blocked the world's busiest oil route carrying 20% of global supply.

⚔️

Geopolitical Weapon

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to attack vessels, weaponizing the strait in response to US-Israeli military action.

🗺️

Geographic Constraint

Unlike other routes, the Strait of Hormuz is tough to bypass due to geography, making it a critical throttle for global energy security.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Strait of Hormuz has historically been a flashpoint in West Asian geopolitics, especially concerning Iran-US relations. Its strategic importance stems from geography: it is the only sea passage from the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Past tensions, including tanker attacks and seizures, have shown its vulnerability. The current closure follows a pattern where Iran leverages control over the strait as a strategic countermeasure against international pressure or military action.

Core Analysis & Implications

The immediate implication is severe volatility in global oil markets, impacting economies worldwide. Long-term, it exposes the fragility of Just-In-Time global energy supply chains. For India, a major importer, such disruptions threaten energy security and macroeconomic stability, increasing import bills and inflation. The event also tests international maritime law and freedom of navigation principles, challenging the global community's response to a state weaponizing a critical international waterway.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

As German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized, a diplomatic solution is imperative. The international community, possibly through the UN or involving regional powers, will need to negotiate reopening. This crisis may accelerate investments in alternative energy routes (like pipelines from the Gulf) and strategic petroleum reserves. It also reinforces the need for a collective security framework for vital sea lanes, a key topic in India's maritime security doctrine (SAGAR).

Key Facts at a Glance

Daily Oil Flow20 million barrels

Share of Global Oil20% (one-fifth)

Narrowest Width33 kilometres

Closure Date (approx.)From February 28, 2026

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The Strait of Hormuz separates which of the following countries?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz:

1. It is the world's busiest oil transit route, carrying over 23 million barrels of oil per day.

2. At its narrowest point, it is approximately 33 kilometres wide.

3. Major oil producers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pipelines that can completely bypass it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

According to the article, what percentage of global oil and gas supply typically passes through the Strait of Hormuz?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What is the primary strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz as highlighted in the news article?

All 25 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

Intl. RelationsView Topic MCQs →EnvironmentView Topic MCQs →Security & DefenceView Topic MCQs →

PreviousUS Unilateral Actions Challenge UN Charter Article 2(A) Sovereignty: Impact on India's Chabahar, INSTC, and Global South Leadership Next India Co-Sponsors UNSC Resolution Condemning Iran Attacks on GCC Countries and Jordan

Related Current Affairs

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran rial hits record low at 2.02 million/USD as US prepares fresh sanctions and Strait of Hormuz blockade

Iran's rial plunged to a record low of 2.02 million per USD as the US announced new sanctions. The war with Israel and US naval blockade have devastated Iran's economy, while Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz threatens global oil supply. This is a critical geopolitical flashpoint with implications for India's energy security and global trade.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Houthi Capture of Perim Island Threatens Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Saudi Oil Exports via Red Sea

Houthi forces, backed by Iran, have captured Perim Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, especially after the Strait of Hormuz disruption. This move threatens Saudi Arabia's alternative Red Sea export route and could spike oil prices. Saudi airstrikes have retaliated, escalating the Yemen conflict.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Houthis Seize Perim Island at Bab el-Mandeb Strait; Oil Prices Surge Above $100

Houthi capture of Perim Island threatens the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil and trade, especially after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. This could spike oil prices above $100, impact India's energy security, and escalate the Iran-US proxy war via Yemen.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

US-Denmark-Greenland Security Pact Allows Permanent US Basing, Bans Non-NATO Presence in Arctic

The US-Denmark-Greenland security pact, announced on September 18, gives the US permanent basing and overflight rights in Greenland and bars non-NATO nations from building bases or making sensitive investments without US approval. It resolves the NATO strain caused by Trump's annexation demand while preserving Danish/Greenland sovereignty, and remains valid even if Greenland becomes independent. This reshapes Arctic geopolitics amid Russia's military expansion and China's growing footprint.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Iran-Oman Negotiate Strait of Hormuz Reopening: US Disputes Iran's Proposed 'Service Fee' on 20% Global Oil Route

Iran and Oman are negotiating a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran proposing a 'service fee' for vessels using its controlled lane. The US strongly opposes any arrangement that grants Iran control or revenue from the strategic waterway, creating a complex diplomatic standoff with direct implications for global energy security and India's oil imports.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

Houthi Capture of Mokha (60 km from Bab-el-Mandeb) Threatens Saudi Oil Routes, East-West Pipeline Shut

Houthi forces seized the strategic port of Mokha (60 km from Bab-el-Mandeb Strait) on September 11, 2026, threatening Saudi Arabia's oil transit via both the Red Sea and the East-West pipeline. This escalation in Yemen's civil war has direct implications for global energy security and Iran's proxy strategy, making it a critical case study for security and international relations exams.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

India Formally Names 27 Locations in Arunachal Pradesh; China Slams Move as Unilateral

India formally identified 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh by their standard names on its official map, countering China's frequent renamings. China's state media slammed the move as 'self-deception', warning it could harm improving bilateral ties. This is a key flashpoint in the India-China boundary dispute, with implications for border negotiations and bilateral relations.

Intl. Relations Current Affairs

MEA Rejects China's Objection to Naming 27 Places in Arunachal Pradesh, Stresses Border Peace for Bilateral Ties

India firmly rejected China's criticism over naming 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh, calling the state an 'inalienable' part of the nation. The MEA linked border peace on the LAC to the broader bilateral relationship, signaling that unresolved border issues remain the most serious constraint in India-China ties.

Start Today's Quiz(25 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

25 Qs • 5-7 Mins

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz, Choking 20% of Global Oil Supply (20 Million Barrels/Day) Amid US-Israel Conflict

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Strategic Chokepoint

Geopolitical Weapon

Geographic Constraint

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance