Geopolitical oil chokepoint crisis exposes systemic fragility of fossil-fuel dependency and militarised energy governance in Gulf region

Indigenous and traditional coastal communities in the Gulf, including the Al Mahra in Yemen and the Arab tribes of Oman and UAE, have historically relied on the Strait of Hormuz for fishing, pearl diving, and trade, viewing it as a communal resource rather than a geopolitical asset. Their knowledge of seasonal currents, marine biodiversity, and sustainable fishing practices offers critical insights into managing the strait’s ecological and social resilience. However, their perspectives are systematically excluded from energy governance, as state and corporate actors prioritise oil transit over traditional livelihoods.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a contested geopolitical chokepoint since the rise of the Persian Empire, with its control shaping empires from the Achaemenids to the British and American hegemonies. The 1953 coup in Iran, orchestrated by Western powers to secure oil access, set a precedent for modern interventions in the region. The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) and subsequent sanctions regimes further militarised the strait, embedding oil dependency into the region’s political economy and creating the conditions for today’s crises.

In Iran, the strait is framed as a symbol of national resistance against foreign domination, with narratives of 'martyrdom' and 'sacrifice' used to justify military posturing. In the UAE, the strait is seen through the lens of economic pragmatism, with ADNOC’s CEO advocating for 'unconditional' reopening to sustain global oil flows. Meanwhile, in Oman, a long-standing policy of neutrality and regional cooperation offers an alternative model to militarised energy governance, though it remains underreported in Western media.

Scientific studies confirm that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most ecologically sensitive marine corridors, hosting critical biodiversity hotspots and serving as a spawning ground for commercially vital fish species. Oil spills and tanker traffic pose existential threats to these ecosystems, yet risk assessments often underestimate the cumulative impact of chronic pollution. Additionally, climate science links the Gulf’s extreme heat and water scarcity to fossil fuel extraction, exacerbating regional instability.

The strait has inspired centuries of poetry, music, and oral traditions across the Gulf, with works like the Omani *enzi* (a form of sung poetry) celebrating its role as a bridge between cultures and a source of life. In Sufi traditions, the strait symbolises the journey of the soul, navigating between material and spiritual realms—a metaphor that contrasts with the strait’s modern reduction to a 'chokepoint' for oil. Contemporary artists in Iran and the UAE critique the militarisation of the strait through murals and films, framing it as a violation of sacred landscapes.

Scenario modelling by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and regional think tanks suggests that a 30% reduction in global oil demand by 2030 could significantly de-escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Alternative energy futures, such as regional solar and wind projects, could reduce dependency on oil transit while creating jobs and fostering cooperation. However, these models often underestimate the geopolitical inertia of fossil fuel regimes and the resistance of state and corporate actors to systemic change.

Marginalised voices include fishermen in Iran’s Hormozgan province, who face declining catches due to oil pollution and tanker traffic, as well as migrant workers in the UAE’s oil sector, who endure exploitative labour conditions to sustain global energy flows. Women-led cooperatives in Oman and Yemen, which once thrived on pearl diving and trade, are now displaced by industrialisation and conflict. Environmental activists in the Gulf, often persecuted for opposing oil infrastructure, remain largely invisible in mainstream narratives.