Title page 1

Contents 1

Summary 2

1. Shipping and the Strait of Hormuz 4

1.1. What is the significance of the strait? 4

1.2. Iranian blockade and tolls 7

1.3. US and global response: coalitions, sanctions, counter blockade and oil reserves release 8

1.4. UK diplomatic action on the Strait of Hormuz 11

1.5. Russia and China veto a UN Security Council resolution 12

1.6. Further reading 13