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Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations — India & West Asia, Indians abroad) & GS Paper I (World Geography — choke points) Source: MEA briefings & news reports, June 2026

1 · What happened

To stop Iran’s oil exports during the ongoing 2026 conflict in West Asia, the United States placed a naval blockade on Iran in April 2026. To enforce it, US forces fired on oil tankers passing near the Strait of Hormuz. Three ships carrying Indian crew were hit in just four days off the coast of Oman, and on the tanker MT Settebello, three Indian seafarers were killed — the first Indian deaths since the blockade began.
Then came a turn towards peace. On 11 June 2026, the United States called off fresh strikes, saying a deal with Iran was close. These talks are being helped along by Pakistan as a go-between.

2 · The Story in Simple Words

First, what is the Strait of Hormuz?

It is a narrow sea passage that joins the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Iran lies to its north; Oman and the UAE (United Arab Emirates) to its south. About one-fifth of the world’s sea-carried oil passes through this single channel. Because it is so narrow, even a small clash here can disturb the world’s oil supply and push up fuel prices everywhere — including in India, which buys most of its crude oil through these waters.

1 The blockade begins. To cut Iran’s oil income, the United States blocks ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports and tightens control near the Strait of Hormuz.
2 Tankers get caught. US forces strike tankers accused of carrying Iranian oil. Three ships with Indian crew are hit in four days off Oman.
3 Indian lives lost. On the tanker MT Settebello, three Indian seafarers are killed — the first Indian deaths since the blockade started. The crews of the other ships are rescued safely.
4 A deal takes shape. On 11 June 2026, the US halts fresh strikes as talks — helped by Pakistan — move ahead. If a deal is signed, the US says it will end the blockade and reopen the strait, though Iran is yet to confirm.

One idea you must know — “Flag of convenience”. A ship can fly the flag of a small, far-off country it has little real link with — such as Palau or Guinea-Bissau — mainly to pay lower fees and follow lighter rules. Here is the catch: a ship is protected by the country of its flag, not by the home country of its crew. So even when Indians are on board, India cannot simply send its Navy to defend a Palau- or Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship. This is the heart of the present crisis.

  • Why India is so exposed: India is among the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers. When a choke point like Hormuz turns violent, large numbers of Indian workers are caught in the danger zone.
  • Operation Sankalp: the Indian Navy’s mission in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf, running since June 2019, to give safe passage to Indian-flagged merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • DG Shipping (Directorate General of Shipping): India’s shipping regulator under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. It can order live tracking of Indian crews and tighten the agencies that place them on risky ships.
  • India’s stake in the deal: a settled strait means safer Indian crews and a steady flow of oil. A signed peace would ease fuel prices at home, while fresh fighting would do the opposite — so India is closely watching the outcome.

UPSC Value Box
Strait of Hormuz Narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea; Iran to the north, Oman/UAE to the south. Carries about one-fifth of the world’s sea-borne oil.
US naval blockade of Iran Began April 2026 to cut off Iran’s oil exports; enforced by the US Navy.
US–Iran peace talks A deal being negotiated with Pakistan as the go-between. If signed, the US says it will lift the blockade and reopen the strait. Not yet confirmed by Iran.
Transit passage Under the law of the sea (UNCLOS, 1982), ships of all nations may pass through an international strait. A coastal state cannot close it — so the Strait of Hormuz must, in law, stay open.
Flag of convenience Registering a ship under a foreign flag (Palau, Guinea-Bissau, Panama, Liberia) to pay less and follow lighter rules.
Flag-state rule A ship is protected by the country of its flag, not by the nationality of its crew.
Operation Sankalp The Indian Navy’s maritime-security mission in the Gulf region, running since June 2019.
DG Shipping Directorate General of Shipping — India’s shipping regulator under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
Key Figures 3 Indian seafarers killed (on MT Settebello) · 3 ships with Indian crew hit in 4 days · about 20% of the world’s LNG (liquefied natural gas) also passes through Hormuz.

MCQ Practice Question
Q. With reference to the Strait of Hormuz and maritime security, consider the following statements:

  1. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
  2. Operation Sankalp is a deployment of the Indian Navy to safeguard Indian-flagged merchant ships in the Gulf region.
  3. Under international law, a coastal state may close an international strait such as the Strait of Hormuz to foreign shipping during a conflict.

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

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

  • Statement 1 — Correct: The strait joins the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, with Iran to the north and Oman/UAE to the south.
  • Statement 2 — Correct: Operation Sankalp is the Indian Navy’s mission, begun in June 2019, to give safe passage to Indian-flagged merchant ships in the Gulf region.
  • Statement 3 — Incorrect (the trap): This reverses the real rule. Under the law of the sea, “transit passage” through an international strait cannot be suspended or closed, even during conflict. This is also why, the moment a deal is reached, the strait is expected to simply reopen to world shipping.
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