Gulf of Oman
Strategic Geography
The Gulf of Oman is a body of water connecting the Arabian Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, bordered by Oman, Iran, and Pakistan. It is one of the world's most critical maritime corridors. The Strait of Hormuz — at its narrowest point only 29 nautical miles wide, with two-mile navigable channels — is the world's most important oil chokepoint: approximately 15–20 million barrels per day pass through it, representing roughly 25–34% of global seaborne oil trade.
- Nearly all of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain's oil exports transit the Strait of Hormuz.
- Asian countries receive approximately 89% of the crude oil flows through the strait; China is the largest single recipient (37.7%).
- India's crude oil imports from the Gulf region make it a critical stakeholder in the security of this corridor.
- The Gulf of Oman sits outside the territorial waters of any single state and is part of the high seas regime, meaning commercial vessels have full freedom of navigation.
● Tracked since March 02, 2026 · last seen June 12, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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