It took the United States and its allies 51 days to clear 907 mines off the Kuwaiti coast in 1991—and that was after the Gulf War was over and with the advantage of minefield maps provided by the defeated Iraqis.

With the route now disrupted and cargoes stranded, pressure on Washington to act has intensified. Yet, as of mid-March, the answer remains uncertain.

The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed. Since the beginning of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, oil tanker traffic through the world’s most critical oil shipping choke point has collapsed,

The Tehran regime has weaponised geography in retaliation for the attacks by the US and Israel

There is increasing evidence suggesting that the United States is preparing for ground combat action in the battle for the Strait of Hormuz energy chokepoint. Iran has effectively shuttered that global energy transit artery by attacking international shipping in the area.

A ground invasion of the Iranian coastline would not be a limited or contained operation. It would be a protracted and gruesome bloodbath.

As tensions rise around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, we look at the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. From energy flows in the Persian Gulf to trade routes through the Strait of Malacca, these narrow waterways influence global oil supply,

For travellers who have explored the Strait of Hormuz, the contrast between its natural beauty and its strategic importance has never felt more pronounced.