Five key points to remember about the Strait of Hormuz

It's critical to the global economy The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's busiest oil shipping channels, and about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas usually passes through it. It also carries a third of the world's fertiliser trade, and is a vital channel for food, medicines and technological supplies. Iran can influence traffic through the channel with attacks and threats The strait is narrow, and it has been easy for Iran to launch strikes at commercial ships - even after m