The Strait of Hormuz is some of the most strategic real estate in the world, though that importance has escalated drastically in the last month. 

Stretching between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, the narrow passage connects the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the open ocean via the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. 

At its narrowest point, the Strait is only about 21 miles wide, yet roughly a fifth of the world’s petroleum supply passes through it. For decades, control of this waterway has shaped global politics, military strategy, and economic stability.

In regard to history however, this isn’t the first time that the Strait of Hormuz has been contested by empires seeking control of trade routes. 

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Portugal and later the United Kingdom sought dominance over the region to secure shipping trade with Asia. By the 20th century, as oil replaced spices and textiles as the most valuable commodity moving through the strait, its importance grew. 

During the Iran–Iraq War, the strait became a focal point in what was called the........

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