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President Trump joined the conflict involving Iran and Israel this weekend. The US military bombed three nuclear sites in Iraq on Saturday. Now, Iran is threatening to close off the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz via Google Maps

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Strait of Hormuz is “The world’s most important oil transit chokepoint.” This website has a chart showing the number of barrels moving daily through the Strait. Through the first half of 2023, 20.5 million barrels of crude oil and other petroleum products were moved through this body of water.

Graph via the U.S. Department of Energy

Over the years, the US has started more domestic drilling operations and bought most of its crude oil from Canada and Mexico. Even with these facts, the US still imports hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products from places like Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which use the Strait to transport their goods. The two charts below, from the EIA website, show how many thousands of barrels per day are imported. 

Chart via the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Chart via the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Many experts also say Iran could be shooting itself in the foot with this decision. Huge nations outside the US rely on crude oil and petroleum products that traverse the Strait. The biggest one being China.

At the time of writing, this is still a developing story. Stay with us for more coverage.

Featured photo snippet via ABC News