Strait of Hormuz and America: Why is a powerful superpower seemingly helpless?

 

Strait of Hormuz and America: Why is a powerful superpower seemingly helpless?  Has Iran  cornered America?  Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Learn how significant the impact will be on India and the world.

Let's explore the Strait of Hormuz and why it's so important. The threat of its closure has deepened the global energy crisis (crude oil and LNG gas). This has increased global tension, leaving even a superpower like the United States unable to act.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway located between Oman and Iran, and part of it also borders the United Arab Emirates. It primarily connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, which further empties into the Arabian Sea. Strait means a narrow passage that connects two oceans.

Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Through the Persian Gulf, goods come to Gulf of Oman and from there, through the Arabian Sea, they go to the whole world.

This is an important trade route which is in the news a lot since Iran has blocked it. Its length is around 167 km, whereas its width varies. Its narrowest point is around 33-37 km, whereas its widest point is around 97 km.

It is also known as the world's chowk point. Around 20 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products pass through here daily, which is approximately 20 to 25% of the world's supply. Around 20% of the world's LNG gas is supplied from here.

India imports about 50 to 55% of its energy needs from crude oil and about 60% of its LPG consumption and about 90% of this import comes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Among the Gulf countries that supply crude oil to India, Saudi Arabia supplies about 15 to 16%, Iraq 20 to 22% and UAE about 8 to 15% of crude oil to India. Whereas if we talk about natural gas (LPG), India imports about 60% and about 90% of this import comes through the Strait of Hormuz.

 Countries supplying natural gas and LNG to India-

India imports about half of its natural gas needs, which are used to run fertilizer plants, power plants, and city gas networks.

• Qatar: = 47%

• United Arab Emirates (UAE): = 13.5%

• United States: = 10.5%

• Other suppliers: Countries such as Oman, Angola, and Nigeria supply smaller quantities.



Cooking Gas (LPG) Suppliers:

India is the second largest consumer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the world. About 60% of domestic LPG is imported,

• Qatar: The largest supplier, providing about 29% to 34% of LPG imports.

• United Arab Emirates: The second largest, providing about 26% of imports.

• Others: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United States make up the remainder.


LNG GAS Gas is as perishable as natural gas and requires different storage methods. It is stored as a liquid at extremely low temperatures. LNG is primarily used in energy-intensive manufacturing and industrial production.

LPG GAS is a by-product produced during the production of petroleum products from crude oil. It is used for cooking at home.

All this import comes to India through the Strait of Hormuz. So, if any geopolitical crisis or any other incident occurs here, it has a profound impact on the energy needs of India as well as the world. Almost 20% of the world's crude oil and approximately 20 to 25% of LNG gas is supplied from here, so any kind of its closure has a profound impact on the energy needs of the entire world.

Actually, this Strait of Hormuz falls in the international waters and ships from all over the world can pass through this route without paying any toll or fee. But in recent times, after the US and Israel attacked Iran, Iran has closed it.

 

Through this route, crude oil, LNG, GAS and LPG of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Iran pass, which through the Strait of Hormuz goes into the Arabian Sea and is supplied to the whole world. Its closure means an energy crisis in the whole world. Its closure means that the economy of the Gulf countries, whose crude oil and LNG are supplied through this route, is directly affected, which includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Oman. Iran's crude oil and gas also passes through this route.

Impact on the World

1. Sharp increase in oil prices

Approximately 20% of the world's crude oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz.
The closure of this route would immediately disrupt supplies and
could lead to a sharp rise in global crude oil prices.

2. Natural Gas (LNG) disruption

Major LNG exports from Gulf countries could be halted,
impacting power generation and industrial fuels, and
could lead to energy shortages in importing countries.

3. Rise in global inflation

Fuel prices will increase transportation and manufacturing costs.
Food and essential commodities will become more expensive.
Inflation will rise in both developed and developing countries.

4. Disruption to global trade

Ships will have to take longer alternative routes, increasing shipping costs and delivery times.
Supply chains (oil, chemicals, goods) will be affected.

5. Decline in industrial production

Energy-dependent industries (steel, chemicals, transport) will be affected;
production costs will increase and output may decrease.

6. Rising geopolitical tensions

Military presence in the region may increase.
There will be a danger of increasing regional conflict.
Global powers may intervene to secure the sea routes.



And if we talk about Asia, in which the big countries like China, India, Japan and South Korea, almost 80% of their energy passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

India is the third largest consumer of crude oil in the world after America and China. Recently, it started importing oil from Russia, which has reduced again due to sanctions and pressure from America. India's traditional energy suppliers come from the Gulf countries. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz means an energy crisis in India because this route is cheap and profitable for India.

Its wide-ranging impact on India-

Major impact on the supply of crude oil

India imports a significant portion of its oil needs from the Gulf countries, and a significant portion of it comes through this route.
India will have to source oil from alternative routes and more expensive sources.
Petrol and diesel prices could rise sharply.

        

2. LPG and gas supply affected

India imports a significant amount of domestic gas (LPG) and LNG.
The cost of cooking gas may increase,
impacting power generation (gas-based plants).

3. Sharp increase in inflation

The rise in oil and gas prices will impact the entire economy:
transport will become more expensive, commodity prices will rise,
food prices may become higher, and
the cost of living for the general public will increase.

4. Impact on transport and logistics

Diesel prices will increase truck, train, and shipping costs.
Supply chains may slow down,
impacting e-commerce and manufacturing.

5. Trade deficit will increase

India will have to buy more expensive oil,
increasing foreign exchange (dollar) expenditure,
which may put pressure on the rupee.

6. Impact on power generation and industry

The cost of gas-based power plants will increase.
Industries (steel, chemicals, fertilizers) will become expensive.
Production may slow down.

7. Economic and financial pressure

There may be a fall in the stock market.
Rising inflation will increase pressure on RBI.
The economic growth rate may slow down.





Iran says that it will not open the Strait of Hormuz until America and Israel stop attacks on Iran and guarantee that they will never attack Iran again. Only after that will the Strait of Hormuz be opened.

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz. Here Iran's geography is helping it. The entire Iran is spread over a plateau region. Because of this, there are many mountains spread throughout Iran. The largest mountain range is the Zagros Mountains. Furthermore, there are the Albert Mountains, the Alam, the Anand, and the Hazrat Mountains. To the west of the Strait of Hormuz, where the State of Hormuz is located, passes the Zagros Mountains, which are quite high.

From here, Iran can easily attack any merchant or naval vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz . However, due to this mountain range, neighboring countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, or any other country cannot attack Iran with the same precision as Iran. This mountain range acts as a natural defense for Iran.

The US is also carrying out only air strikes on Iran and has not yet considered a naval or ground invasion because Iran's geography is so diverse: mountains and deserts, making a ground invasion extremely difficult. Therefore, Trump is currently on the back foot. He can neither send his navy nor a ground invasion to attack Iran. Because of its mountainous terrain, the Iranian army has the advantage of concealing itself and its weapons and using guerrilla tactics to inflict greater damage on the US.

Furthermore, the waters of the Strait of Hormuz are not deep enough for United States Navy warships to dock there. Iranian troops, while sitting in the mountains, could inflict greater damage on US warships . Experts and security agencies have argued that such a large-scale military operation could result in serious losses for the US military and a prolonged conflict. Furthermore, Congress has not yet reached a consensus on a full-scale war.

Currently, Trump is only considering diplomatic means to open the Strait of Hormuz. Regarding Donald Trump's alleged visit to China between the 13th and 15th, it is being claimed that he attempted to open the Strait of Hormuz through diplomatic talks with Iran through China. However, available official records and reliable public sources do not confirm any such specific visit or any such mediation mission.

Iran, taking advantage of its geography, has closed the state of the farm and is allowing ships to pass only with its permission.

The stance of America's European allies-

Another reason for Trump not launching a full-scale war by directly invading Iran through ground invasion could be that his European allies, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and other European countries, did not openly support Trump. This could also be considered a major reason.

We will have to go back a few years in time when the war between Ukraine and Russia started, then America provided arms and intelligence to Ukraine during the time of Joe Biden but when Trump won and came to power, he did the supply work as well as intelligence work and after the meeting with Putin, Trump clearly said that the area which Russia has occupied should be given to Russia. He called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to America and insulted him saying that you can start World War 3.

Europe got very angry with this and all the powerful countries of Europe like United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy got very angry with Trump's behavior and recently Trump has given another controversial statement that he will occupy Greenland because he feels that it is a threat to its security, Russian and Chinese ships keep coming there, hence Greenland should be occupied by America. This further worsened relations between Europe and the United States because Europe felt that the United States had betrayed them and did not provide the kind of assistance they should have in the Ukraine war, and that they were speaking Putin's language.

 

Donald Trump also warned that if you do not listen to me then understand that NATO will end because America is the most powerful country in NATO and it is America that provides the maximum funds. Trump even pressured NATO countries to increase their expenses. Most of the European countries were angry with the fact that how long will America continue to bear your expenses.

And when America became embroiled in a war with Iran, Europe did the same. They too refused to directly support America. European countries even refused to allow America to use their army bases. Perhaps this is the reason why America is on the back foot. And since Russia and China already support Iran, if a full-scale war breaks out, it is highly likely that Russia and China will provide Iran with arms and other intelligence. And maintaining logistics from such a distance would be extremely difficult for the US.

Furthermore, Iran could easily target US military bases in the Gulf region, located in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. It doesn't require any advanced missiles or weapons, as the Strait of Hormuz is only a few miles and kilometers away. For the US, attacking Iran would cause minimal damage to Iran, even minimal damage.