Who controls the Strait of Hormuz and who monitors shipping there?
Posted on Feb 28, 2026 / Travel
No single country “controls” the Strait of Hormuz, but its geography means Iran has influence over the northern side while Oman has influence over the southern side of the waterway. International maritime law allows ships to transit through the strait’s designated shipping lanes even if those lanes pass through territorial waters. Because the passage is so strategically valuable and sensitive, the US Fifth Fleet and naval units from other allied countries often patrol the wider Gulf region to help provide safe passage and deter potential threats. Iran, meanwhile, can influence activity by broadcasting warnings or positioning its military assets near the strait in times of tension, which can raise alarms for shipping companies. Oman has typically been more neutral and focused on maintaining commercial traffic. All of this means that while the strait itself remains open under normal conditions, the security situation and who’s patrolling can have a big impact on whether companies feel safe using it.
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