International Relations · 22 Jul 2026

Strait of Hormuz India energy security

Consider the following statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing West Asia conflict:

  1. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly one-fifth of global oil supply.
  2. Bushehr, the site of Iran's only operational civilian nuclear power plant, has been struck by U.S. forces.
  3. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Yemen.
  4. Both the United States and Iran have struck water and desalination infrastructure during the conflict.

How many of the above statements are correct?

AOnly one
BOnly two
COnly three
DAll four

Tests the ability to distinguish between two similarly-discussed maritime chokepoints (Hormuz vs Bab el-Mandeb) while evaluating multiple current-affairs facts together - an analytical discrimination task, not simple recall.

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This question is based on: Neither Side Can Afford This War, So Both Are Escalating It Anyway
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About this question

Why in news

Iran's President declared a "full-scale war" with the US as strikes expanded into Bushehr province and both sides struck Gulf water infrastructure, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining blocked.

Why for UPSC

UPSC often tests precise geographic locations of maritime chokepoints, distinguishing Hormuz from other nearby straits like Bab el-Mandeb - a common source of confusion this question directly probes.

Prelims summary

The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman, carries about a fifth of global oil supply; it is distinct from the Bab el-Mandeb strait near Yemen. Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant and Gulf desalination infrastructure have both come under attack in the current conflict.

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