On Feb. 28, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint Israeli-American airstrike, shaking the Iranian nation. In retaliation, the Iranian government threatened to—and then set in motion—a plan to block oil shipments that pass through the strait of Hormuz. Such a recent and significant development in global politics will lead to an uptick in oil prices, oil and fuel shortages, as well as international tensions.

“Being such a crucial choke point that controls over one-fifth of international oil shipments, the threat of hostility across the strait of Hormuz is an international concern,” sophomore Elenor Li said.

This immense drop in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been seen before, specifically in 2018 when Iranian forces attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. sanctions aimed at preventing Iranian oil exports.

“The advantage Iran has on a global scale due to its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz has allowed the Iranian regime to showcase its willingness to use violence for revenge,” sophomore Brooke Bullaro said.

Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz accounts for nearly 8% of global maritime trade transiting key chokepoints. An estimated 20 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily.

The immense strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz bears similarity to the chokepoint held in the territory of Constantinople (modern Istanbul) and the shift of power after Constantinople’s fall.

The global shift of power to Islamic hands after the fall of Constantinople led to an Islamic age of power. Many governmental officials fear the ramifications of Iranian appeasement rather than global intervention. Given Iran’s recent political instability, global nations fear an Iranian rise to power.

“Although I’m against war, I think American intervention was necessary in this scenario — even if it escalates to international conflict,” sophomore Isaac Bakhchi said.

The ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States is contingent on maintaining open access to the Strait of Hormuz, though officials have failed to specify how long the agreement will hold. While many experts fear the fragility of the deal, ongoing political tensions could easily thwart efforts to stabilize the Iranian nation.

“Following the recent developments of the revolutions in Iran, I hope there is a resolution to this deadly conflict soon,” sophomore Suzanna Liew said.

As tensions remain high, global leaders continue to monitor and moderate the situation closely. Weighing the risks of further intervention against the consequences of inaction, the future of the Strait of Hormuz—and therefore global energy markets—remains uncertain.