Strait of Hormuz Closure Disrupts 20 Million Barrels of Daily Oil Flow

The ongoing US and Israeli military campaign against Iran, now in its second week, has severely disrupted Middle Eastern oil infrastructure. Iranian retaliatory strikes have damaged pipelines and refineries, while the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day (about 20% of global supply), is effectively closed. This blockade has created a backlog of oil tankers unable to transit, raising urgent questions about storage capacity in Gulf states and the duration of the supply disruption. France 24's Luke Shrago reports on the logistical and strategic challenges facing the region. The conflict threatens to escalate into a broader regional war, with significant implications for global energy markets and security.

Global Impact

This is a geopolitical and economic shock of the first order. Economically, a sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a global recession, with oil prices potentially doubling and inflation surging worldwide.