Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations) & GS-1 (Geography) | Source: The Hindu

1. What is the Core Issue?

A recent three-week peace agreement in the Middle East has violently broken down.

• The Clash: The U.S. military launched an operation to forcefully keep the Strait of Hormuz open for trade ships, reportedly clashing with Iranian boats.
• The Damage: The UAE reported that its oil facility was attacked by a drone. Oman reported damage to a residential building, injuring foreign workers.
• The Stand: Iran has denied all these attacks but warned that it will target any foreign military in its waters.

2. The Geography: Why is this area so important?

An administrator must understand the map to understand the crisis:

• The Location: The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman (and then to the Arabian Sea).
• The “Chokepoint”: It is a highly sensitive maritime bottleneck. Roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil passes through this narrow strip.
• The Control: Iran controls the northern shoreline. The UAE and Oman share the southern shoreline. Because the water is narrow, ships must pass through Iran’s territorial waters, giving Iran huge control over global trade.

3. Why Should India Worry? (The Direct Impact)

A war in this region is a direct threat to India’s economy and its citizens:

• Costly Oil & Inflation: India buys 85% of its crude oil from outside, mostly from the Gulf. If the strait is blocked, global oil prices will shoot up. This increases India’s import bill, widens our Current Account Deficit (CAD), and makes petrol and daily goods very expensive for the common man.
• Safety of Our People (Diaspora): Millions of hard-working Indians live in Gulf countries. A war puts their physical safety at risk and stops the crucial money (remittances) they send back home to their families.
• Burden on the Navy: To keep our merchant ships safe from attacks, the Indian Navy has to spend heavy resources to escort them (e.g., Operation Sankalp).

4. International Law: The Rules of the Sea

• UNCLOS: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the global rulebook for oceans.
• Right of ‘Transit Passage’: Under UNCLOS, international straits must remain open for all ships (cargo and military) for fast and uninterrupted travel. The current crisis is a clash between the world’s right to free trade and Iran’s claim over its national security.

UPSC Value Box 

• Chokepoint: A narrow sea route where the massive flow of global trade can be easily blocked by military force.
• Current Account Deficit (CAD): The shortfall created when a country spends more money on importing goods (like expensive oil) than it earns from exporting goods.
• UNCLOS (Transit Passage): The specific international law that guarantees ships the right to pass freely through narrow international straits without interference.

With reference to the geopolitical significance of international straits and maritime laws, consider the following statements:

1. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime chokepoint that directly connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
2. Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the regime of ‘Transit Passage’ grants ships the right of continuous and expeditious transit through international straits.
3. The northern shoreline of the Strait of Hormuz is entirely controlled by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a)