Commentary: From Oman to Iran, Strait of Hormuz remains central to Gulf security

The Strait of Hormuz returns to the center of attention whenever the Gulf begins to tremble. The waterway carries nearly a third of the world’s seaborne oil, making it a lifeline for global energy and a persistent source of strategic vulnerability.

A commentary by a former UAE minister and current president of the UAE Safety and Emergency Security Association places today’s tensions in a much longer history. For centuries, Hormuz served as the gateway to the Gulf and a stage for imperial rivalry. Persian influence, Portuguese control and later British dominance all reflected the importance of the routes linking India, East Africa, Iran and Iraq.

Arab powers also shaped the strait’s history. During the Ya’aruba era, Oman expelled the Portuguese and built a fleet capable of influencing navigation at the Gulf’s entrance. Under the Al Bu Sa‘id dynasty, Omani influence extended from Bandar Abbas to Zanzibar. The Qawasim later challenged Portuguese and British expansion and helped secure regional trade routes.

The 20th century turned Hormuz from a traditional trade corridor into a global energy artery. The commentary says Iran’s periodic attempts to impose transit fees echo the Portuguese cartaz system, while insisting that the strait remains an international passage governed by unrestricted transit rather than unilateral control.

The current balance between Washington and Tehran remains fragile. The article points to reports of vessel harassment, expanded Western naval deployments, increased drone activity and intermittent diplomatic contacts. It says Iran continues to restrict vessel movements, warning that ships could face fines or detention without prior authorisation, while the United States has strengthened its naval posture. Any disruption, the commentary argues, would quickly affect global energy markets and supply chains.