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• As the only passage to the ocean from many of the oil-producing states of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz is a vastly important strategic waterway that lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

  In March 2009, the U.S. Navy vessels USS New Orleans; an amphibious ship, and USS Hartford; a submarine, collided in the Strait of Hormuz. 15 sailors aboard USS Hartford suffered minor injures.The USS New Orleans ruptured a fuel tank, which caused 25,000 liters of diesel fuel to spill in the water. Both vessels were damaged, but could operate after the collision.VOA: US Navy Vessels Collide in Strait of Hormuz (March 20, 2009) CNN: U.S. Navy vessels collide near Iran (March 20, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman
  2. Narrowest part of the strait: 34 milesReuters: The Strait of Hormuz, key oil shipping route (March 20, 2009)
  3. Iran is on its north coast and Oman on its south
  4. About 40% of the world's oil that is transported by water passes through itReuters: The Strait of Hormuz, key oil shipping route (March 20, 2009)
  5. About 90% of the oil exported from the Persian Gulf is transported through itReuters: The Strait of Hormuz, key oil shipping route (March 20, 2009)
  6. The amount of oil exported through it expected to double in the next yearsReuters: The Strait of Hormuz, key oil shipping route (March 20, 2009)
  7. Iran has threatened to seal off the passage if U.S. attacks IranFox News: U.S. Navy Commander Warns Iran: Don't Try Closing Gulf Oil Passageway (July 2, 2008)
  8. In December 2007 and January 2008, the U.S. Navy accused Iranian patrol boats of harassing its warships in the straitGuardian Unlimited: ...'Filipino Monkey' could have triggered latest US-Iran row (January 14, 2008)

• Navy Collision

  In March 2009, the U.S. Navy vessels USS New Orleans; an amphibious ship, and USS Hartford; a submarine, collided in the Strait of Hormuz. It is not clear what caused the collision, which is under investigation.CNN: U.S. Navy vessels collide near Iran (March 20, 2009)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  US-Iran Navy Standoff | U.S. Navy | Iran | Tensions with Iran | Iran Nuclear Crisis | Mahmoud Ahmadinejad | George W. Bush | Gulf of Oman

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