Strait of Hormuz traffic has ground to a halt. Here’s why it’s vital to get it back up and running

Published March 12, 2026 7:00am ET



The Strait of Hormuz has been thrust into the center of the U.S-Israeli war with Iran, as the nearly two-week-long conflict has threatened significant levels of global shipping of oil and gas, disrupting energy markets worldwide.

The Strait of Hormuz, which separates the Persian Gulf from other marine passageways for energy production, is considered one of the most crucial waterways for global energy trade.

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