Middle East Flashcards
Where is the strait of Hormuz?
It is between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and between Iran and the UAE/Oman. It provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world’s most strategically important choke points.
What percentage of total global oil consumption passes though the SOH?
21%
What was Iran Air 655?
It was an Iranian commercial flight that was shot down by the USS Vincennes in July of 1988 when it was wrongly identified as a fighter jet.
What is a common Iranian threat regarding the SOH?
They often (2008, 2011, 2018, 2019) threaten to close the SOH, which would wreak havoc on the global oil market. The US responds by saying such an act would be an act of war.
Are there any alternate routes around the SOH?
Yes their is the East-West pipeline (running across Saudi Arabia) which has a capacity of 5 million barrels per day, and a few others, none of which can carry more than 1.65 million barrels of oil per day.
How many barrels of oil go through the SOH daily?
It averages 21 million
