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Source: http://washingtoninstitute.org/templateC06.php?CID=1788
Iran's Strait of Hormuz: A Challenge to U.S. Policy
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Simon Henderson - A dozen huge tankers exit the Persian Gulf daily through the Strait of Hormuz carrying about 40% of the world's internationally traded oil. Any disruption of shipping would have an immediate impact on world oil prices. The current fragile economic state of many of the world's democracies means that politicians treat energy-related issues very cautiously. But, ironically, Iran's threats to close the strait may make China, which increasingly depends on oil imports, particularly from the Persian Gulf, a more congenial diplomatic partner in confronting Tehran on its nuclear program. The writer is director of the Gulf and Energy Policy program at The Washington Institute.