Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Threaten Global Oil Flows

A look at past moments when tensions in the strategic waterway impacted energy markets

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:54am

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The U.S. and Israel's war with Iran has once again thrust the Strait of Hormuz into the center of a geopolitical conflict, with Iran halting nearly all traffic through the critical oil chokepoint. This is hardly the first time the strait has been weaponized, as ship seizures, naval battles, and threats of closure have disrupted oil flows in the past during conflicts like the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s and tensions over Iran's nuclear program in the 2010s. While Iran has not completely shut down the strait this time, the disruption has still sent fuel prices soaring globally.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy chokepoint, with around a fifth of the world's oil supply passing through the narrow waterway before the current conflict. Disruptions to traffic through the strait can have major consequences for energy markets and the global economy, as seen in past spikes in oil prices during periods of heightened tensions in the region.

The details

Iran has brought nearly all traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to a halt, attacking commercial ships and threatening further strikes to stop the flow of oil, gas, and other goods through the passage. This is the latest in a long history of the strait being weaponized, with past conflicts like the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s and tensions over Iran's nuclear program in the 2010s also severely disrupting shipping and energy flows. While Iran has not completely closed the strait this time, the disruption has still sent fuel prices soaring worldwide.

  • During the 8-year Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, both sides attacked tankers and used naval mines to shut down traffic in the Strait of Hormuz at times.
  • In 2011-2012, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to new Western sanctions over its nuclear program, leading to volatility in oil prices.
  • In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and vowed to cut off Iranian oil exports, prompting renewed Iranian threats to close the strait.
  • In 2019 and 2021, the U.S. Navy blamed Iran for attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, straining shipping insurance rates.
  • During last year's 12-day war between Israel and Iran, fears mounted about a possible Strait of Hormuz closure, though it ultimately remained open.

The players

Iran

A Middle Eastern country that has repeatedly threatened to close or disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz during periods of geopolitical tension, including the current conflict with the U.S. and Israel.

United States

A global superpower that has clashed with Iran over its nuclear program and regional influence, and has at times intervened militarily to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel

A close U.S. ally that has also been engaged in a conflict with Iran, raising fears about potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz.

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What they’re saying

“The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions for decades, and the current conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran is just the latest chapter.”

— Michael Klare, Energy and Security Expert

“Disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz can have severe consequences for the global economy, as we've seen in the past when oil prices spiked due to supply concerns.”

— Sarah Ladislaw, Energy Security Analyst

What’s next

Analysts will be closely monitoring the situation in the Strait of Hormuz in the coming weeks and months to see if Iran takes further action to disrupt shipping, and how that impacts global energy markets and the broader economy.

The takeaway

The Strait of Hormuz's strategic importance means that even temporary disruptions to traffic through the waterway can have far-reaching consequences. The current conflict is a stark reminder of the need for global cooperation to ensure the free flow of energy resources and maintain stability in critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.