Strait of Hormuz - why is it significant?published at 13:37 BST
Image source, ReutersEarlier we brought you a post on what the apparent text of the US-Iran deal says about the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway has been a key focus in the conflict. Bounded to the north by Iran and to the south by Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the strait - only about 50km (31 miles) wide at its entrance and exit, and about 33km wide at its narrowest point - connects the Gulf with the Arabian Sea.
About 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) usually passes through the strait, with oil coming not only from Iran but also from other Gulf states such as Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
About 3,000 ships usually sail through the strait each month, but this has dramatically decreased after Iran threatened to attack tankers and other ships.





