USA Today – Strategic Shipping Routes Through the Strait of Hormuz

This map illustrates the geographic and strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman. It highlights more than 30 Iranian port-linked locations along the Persian Gulf coastline, as well as major nearby cities such as Bandar Abbas and Dubai. The map shows how narrow the strait becomes at its tightest point—less than 21 miles wide—and indicates water depths across the region.

Shipping lanes are clearly marked, including current internationally recognized channels and a proposed route by Iran. Maritime boundaries between Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates are also delineated.

The visualization emphasizes how global oil shipments pass through a constrained corridor, underlining the geopolitical sensitivity of the region.

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