The U.S. has restated its commitment to maintaining open waterways in the Persian Gulf, following an implicit Iranian threat to block the route if the U.S. continues in its efforts to prevent its allies from importing Iranian oil. The waterway is an important channel of free navigation, and is used by most of the Middle East to export substantial amounts of oil. The Straights of Hormuz connect Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar to the Indian Ocean, and has been the subject of previous Iranian threats.
Source: U.S. Vow To Protect Persian Gulf Oil Routes From Iran | OilPrice.com
