The Strait of Hormuz, spanning roughly 104 mi in length and narrowing to 24 mi at its tightest, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the open ocean. With its 60 mi width elsewhere, it remains the sole maritime corridor that allows Gulf oil to reach global markets. For India, a major importer of petroleum, any change in passage status can shift supply security and pricing dynamics.

The 2024 announcement that the strait is officially open to Indian vessels follows a series of diplomatic negotiations aimed at reducing transit risks. While the corridor has historically been a point of geopolitical tension, the new arrangement promises more predictable routing, though it still carries the inherent vulnerability of a single passage.