Already high tension between the US and Iran ramped up again last week following an attack on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz. It follows a similar nearby attack last month, with the US blaming Iran for both. furthering fears that the two are edging towards a bigger escalation. But what is the Strait of Hormuz and why is this small strip of water so important?
What is the Strait of Hormuz?
It is a narrow channel, approximately 30 miles wide at the narrowest point, between the Omani Musandam Peninsula and Iran.
Why is it of global interest?
It is one of the most important strategic waterways in the world as it links the Middle East’s crude oil producers with key markets in the rest of the world, making it vital to the global supply of oil. Most crude exported from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq is shipped through the strait, as well as nearly all the liquefied natural gas produced by its biggest exporter, Qatar.
In 2017, around 17.2 million barrels of crude and natural-gas condensates – used in heavy oil production – were estimated to have been shipped through the strait. With global oil consumption at about 100 million barrels per day, that means almost a fifth of it passes through here. That’s more than any similar choke points, such as the Suez Canal in Egypt and the Strait of Malacca between Malaysia and Sumatra.
Instability could mean higher global oil prices, adding to the running costs of certain industries and raising petrol prices. Iran’s recent actions could also be considered as an act of war.
Whose territory is it?
To pass through the strait, ships must sail through the territorial waters of Oman and Iran. The UAE also lies to the south of the waterway. It is of particular importance to Iran as it is its key oil export route and therefore crucial to their economy. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump decided to end the sanction exemptions for countries buying oil from Iran and say their policy is for zero Iranian imports. Tehran has threatened that if Mr Trump halts its exports, it would make sure that no oil can be exported from the Arabian Gulf.
To transit through the Strait of Hormuz all maritime traffic, including the US Navy, must sail through Iranian territorial waters. Yet the US Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, is tasked with protecting commercial ships in the area.
Has there been trouble there before?
Similar attacks happened during the Tanker War of the 1980s, when Iran and Iraq tried to stop each others’ exports. Over 200 tankers were attacked and 55 were sunk. A US warship shot down an Iranian airliner over the straight in 1988, killing 290, and there have been a few more minor attacks on tankers. Threats to impose controls on the strait have frequently featured in Iranian rhetoric in an effort to protect itself from either military action or sanctions.
Can the Strait of Hormuz be bypassed?
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have sought to find other routes to transport their oil, including building more pipelines to transport it to the northern emirate of Fujairah, in the Gulf of Oman, to Oman itself and Yemen. The proposed Qatar-Turkey pipeline would take natural gas straight to Europe over land, but would cause upset to Europe’s biggest gas supplier, Russia.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
