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Why the Strait of Hormuz matters to us all

Iran says it has closed the vital shipping channel to global trade.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow gap of water in the Middle East between Iran and the Arabian peninsula. About 3,000 or so ships sail through the Strait each month - that鈥檚 about 80 ships a day. About 20% of the world鈥檚 oil and gas passes through it. But now, it鈥檚 an active war zone.

As the US and Israel continue strikes on Iran, and Iran launches missiles at Israel and nearby Gulf states in retaliation, key shipping routes are being disrupted as well as oil and gas production in the region.

Iran says it has complete control of the Strait of Hormuz, and that it would "set fire" to any ships trying to pass through it.

In this episode we explain how this war could affect the wider world and why closing the Strait of Hormuz could lead to higher prices for petrol, food and electronics for us all.

Kayleen Devlin from 麻豆社 Verify tells us what鈥檚 happening to ships in the Strait of Hormuz and 麻豆社 business reporter Nick Marsh describes why parts of Asia are already feeling the effects.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Iqra Farooq
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Maria Clara Montoya and Ash Mohamed
Editor: Verity Wilde

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9 minutes

Last on

Sat 7 Mar 2026 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 6 Mar 2026 18:50GMT
  • Sat 7 Mar 2026 03:50GMT

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