This summary is tailored for **UPSC Civil Services Examination** (General Studies Paper-II: International Relations and GS Paper-III: Energy Security). ### **Topic: Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: Strategic Significance and Geopolitical Tensions** #### **1. Context** The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints. Iran has historically used its dominance over this narrow waterway as a strategic lever against international sanctions and Western military presence in the Persian Gulf. #### **2. Geographical Significance** * **Location:** A narrow waterway connecting the **Persian Gulf** to the **Gulf of Oman** and the **Arabian Sea**. * **Dimensions:** At its narrowest point, it is only about **21 miles (33 km) wide**, with shipping lanes in either direction being only 2 miles wide. * **Territorial Waters:** Most of the navigable shipping lanes lie within the territorial waters of **Iran and Oman**. #### **3. Economic and Strategic ...
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