Strait of Hormuz blockade and other major naval sieges in modern times
Summary
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed due to blockades imposed by the United States and Iran. The article reviews several major naval blockades from modern history, including Israel’s siege of Gaza, the Nigerian blockade of Biafra, and the British Beira Patrol against Rhodesia.Key Facts
- The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil transport, is blocked by both the U.S. and Iran.
- Naval blockades are a long-used war tactic to cut off an enemy’s resources without ground fighting.
- Israel has blockaded the Gaza Strip since 2007, restricting goods and movement, causing humanitarian issues for 2.3 million people.
- Efforts to break the Gaza blockade by flotillas have been intercepted or attacked by Israel, including a raid on 22 vessels in April 2025.
- During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70), the federal government blockaded Biafra, leading to millions of deaths mostly from hunger and disease.
- The Beira Patrol (1966-75) was a British naval blockade to stop oil reaching Rhodesia but largely failed as oil arrived through other routes.
- The Beira Patrol tied up UK naval resources for nine years until Mozambique’s independence in 1975.
- Blockades historically have influenced economies, societies, and international relations with both immediate and long-term effects.
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