Trending Now - Historical and Legal Perspectives on Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

WHO:

The U.S. and Israel are involved in a conflict with Iran.

President Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear accord in May 2018.

Iran's supreme leader was killed in strikes by the U.S. and Israel.

WHAT:

Iran has halted nearly all traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting oil flows.

Roughly a fifth of the world's oil traveled through the Strait of Hormuz before the current conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz is 21 nautical miles (24 miles or 39 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point.

The U.S. Navy blamed Iran for limpet mine attacks on vessels in 2019 and a drone attack on an Israeli-linked oil tanker in 2021.

Iran seized several vessels, including a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship in 2024 and two Greek tankers in 2022.

WHERE:

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

Iran and Oman have territory in the Strait of Hormuz.

WHEN:

The current conflict began in March 2026 and is in its third week.

The U.S. Navy engaged in a one-day battle against Iran in 1988.

The U.S. began enforcing sanctions against Iran in late 2011 and into 2012.

President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear accord on May 8th, 2018.

Brent crude peaked at more than $126 per barrel in March 2012.

WHY:

The conflict is driven by tensions over Iran's nuclear development program and sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies.

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to sanctions and military actions.

HOW:

The law of naval warfare applies to the Strait of Hormuz, allowing for the movement of neutral ships under international law.

Convoys of warships can be used to protect commercial shipping, but may expose merchant vessels to military action.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 09:10 UTC)

In a significant escalation of tensions, the U.S. and Israel are currently engaged in a conflict with Iran, which has resulted in the death of Iran's supreme leader due to strikes from both nations. As a consequence, Iran has halted nearly all traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway that previously facilitated about a fifth of the world's oil supply. The ongoing conflict, which began earlier this month, is rooted in longstanding disputes over Iran's nuclear program and the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies.