The Strait of Hormuz, a vital and narrow passageway for global oil shipments in the Persian Gulf, is again drawing attention as Iran prepares for a military exercise that could involve live fire near one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Iran has warned ships that it will conduct a live fire drill Sunday and Monday in the strait, which sees a fifth of all oil traded pass through the tight corridor between Iran and Oman.
The U.S. military's Central Command issued its own warning early Saturday, telling Tehran that any "unsafe and unprofessional behavior near U.S. forces, regional partners or commercial vessels increases risks of collision, escalation and destabilization."
Here's what to know about the drill, the U.S. warning, what caused the tensions and what might happen next in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz resembles a bend looking down from space. Its narrowest point is just 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide. It flows from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman. From there, ships can then travel to the rest of the world.
