About a fifth of the world's total oil consumption passes through the strait. OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq export most of their crude via the strait, mainly to Asia. OPEC+ top producers Saudi Arabia and the UAE have raised oil exports in recent days as part of contingency plans. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have sought to find other routes to bypass the strait. In May 2019, four vessels - including two Saudi oil tankers - were attacked off the UAE coast, outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: The Telegraph February 28, 2026 12:10 UTC