What is a naval blockade and how would it work in Strait of Hormuz?

US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is going to start blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway located between Iran and Oman, in a move that could have significant implications for global oil supplies and international relations, on the same day that tensions between the US and Iran reached a new high.

The blockade would involve the US Navy preventing ships from passing through the Strait, which is a vital shipping lane that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is used by many countries to transport oil and other goods. In practice, this would mean that the US Navy would be stationed in the Strait, stopping and inspecting ships to check their cargo and prevent any vessels carrying Iranian oil from passing through. The significance of this move cannot be overstated, as the Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for the global oil trade, with approximately 20 per cent of the world's oil passing through it every day.

The wider context of this move is one of escalating tensions between the US and Iran, which have been building for some time. The US has imposed strict sanctions on Iran in an effort to curb its nuclear programme and limit its influence in the region, while Iran has responded by threatening to disrupt oil supplies and attack US interests in the Middle East. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is the latest escalation in this standoff, and it has the potential to have far-reaching consequences for the global economy and international relations. The move is also likely to be seen as a test of the US's ability to enforce its will in the region, and it will be closely watched by other countries, including China and Russia, which have significant interests in the Middle East.

The reaction to the proposed blockade has been swift and critical, with many countries expressing concern about the potential impact on global oil supplies and the risk of conflict in the region. The European Union has urged restraint and called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, while China has warned that the blockade could have serious consequences for the global economy. The next steps are unclear, but it is likely that the US will face significant opposition to its plans, both from Iran and from other countries that rely on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil supplies. The implications of the blockade are also likely to be felt beyond the Middle East, as countries around the world adjust to the new reality of a potentially disrupted global oil trade.