Iran has raised alarms across the region after issuing a fresh warning to the United States and Israel. With tensions rising again in the Strait of Hormuz, Southeast Asia is watching developments closely due to the waterway's critical role in global energy flows.
Growing Threats to Close the Strait
Tehran has repeatedly threatened to shut down the Strait as the US has increased pressure on Tehran, including surrounding it with military assets. The geography of the strait has led Iran to build a significant portion of its naval power there. Iran has the capacity to deploy naval mines and is also capable of threatening vessels with missiles or even drones.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
Stretching 180 kilometers long and narrowing to only about 30 kilometers in certain parts, the Strait of Hormuz connects the waters of the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
Around 20 million barrels of oil pass through it every day, about one fifth of global oil consumption,
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