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Maritime Security and Chokepoints for UPSC
281 notes · updated 6 Nov 2026
In the news
- Iran lawmaker says ships from India, China, Iraq and Qatar can pass freely
Iranian lawmaker Amir Hayat Moqaddam announced that ships from India, China, Iraq, and Qatar can pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz to bypass the American naval blockade.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assassinated in February as Houthis seize Mocha, threatening Bab al-Mandeb strait
The assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Houthi seizure of Mocha have escalated maritime security risks in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
- 12 attacks on tankers in Strait of Hormuz: highest weekly total since US-Iran war
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) reported a record 12 attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz between September 28 and October 5, 2026, sparking concerns over maritime security in the region.
- MEA condemns Black Sea and Oman shipping attacks killing 2 foreign seafarers
The Ministry of External Affairs condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz that resulted in the deaths of two foreign seafarers and injuries to several Indian nationals.
- The Embassy of India in Oman reported on Friday, October 2, 2026
The Embassy of India in Oman coordinated the rescue of five Indian nationals after the Kuwait-flagged tanker MT Kazimah III was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Houthis Capture Yemen Ports with IRGC Help, Control Strategic Strait
The Houthi group (Ansar Allah) captured key Yemeni ports and islands with reported IRGC assistance, threatening maritime security in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
- US, Iran hold mediated UNGA talks on ending war, opening Strait of Hormuz | US-Israel war on Iran News
The US and Iran held indirect mediated talks during the UN General Assembly to discuss ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why is the Bab al-Mandab Strait so important?
The UK agreed to deploy a military aircraft to refuel Saudi fighter jets following the seizure of territory near the Bab al-Mandam Strait by Iran-backed Houthis.
- Strait Of Hormuz And Bab El-Mandeb: Putin, Saudi crown prince discuss safe passage through Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to secure global energy shipments.
- Iran ready reopen Hormuz within 7 days, negotiate if the US lifts blockade
A senior Iranian official proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US eases military pressure and commits to diplomacy.
- India condemns attack on oil tanker, one seafarer missing off Oman
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned an attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker MT El Gaia off Oman's coast, which resulted in one Indian seafarer missing and 13 rescued.
- Houthis Capture 130km Yemen Coast, Threaten Red Sea Trade Backed by Iran
The Houthis captured 130km of Yemen's Tihamah coastal plain to tighten control over the Red Sea shipping lane with Iranian backing.
- Houthis Seize Mokha Port, Threaten Critical Oil Route Through Red Sea
Houthi militants seized the Mokha port in Yemen and advanced toward the Hanish islands, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and global oil routes.
- Iran's Guards Claim Attack on 10 Ships as Retaliation for US Strikes
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed to have attacked 10 ships, including US vessels and oil tankers, in retaliation for US Central Command destroying five Iranian crude oil tankers in the Gulf.
- US Central Command Strikes Three Iranian Oil Tankers, IRGC Fires Missiles Back
The US Central Command and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) engaged in escalating tit-for-tat attacks involving oil tankers and warships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- After the United States and Israel's war with Iran reduced shipping through
Geopolitical tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran have prompted Asian economies to expand energy reserves to mitigate supply chain disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Strait Authority Blacklists 45 Vessels, At Least 14 Attacked Since February Conflicts Erupted
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority blacklisted 45 vessels, including an Indian-owned bulk carrier, for violating Iranian transit protocols in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oman, Iran Agree on Temporary Strait of Hormuz Corridor to Clear Mines
Oman and Iran agreed to establish a temporary joint navigation corridor in the Strait of Hormuz to clear mines and ensure the flow of global oil markets.
- Old Video Shows Moment When Ship With 21 Indian Sailors Came Under Iran's Attack In Hormuz
India's maritime workforce faces heightened security risks in the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating geopolitical tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran.
- Iran, US in Strait of Hormuz Standoff; Talks Aim to Reopen Strait
The standoff between Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz highlights the geopolitical tension regarding maritime security and the impact of economic sanctions.
- Indian seafarers face life-threatening attacks; FSUI issues urgent appeal
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) issued an urgent appeal for 13 Indian seafarers facing drone and missile attacks in the Black Sea, highlighting maritime security risks.
- Indian Seafarers Advised Against Gulf Voyages Amid Attack Risks
The Minister of Ports Shipping and Waterways informed Parliament about the repatriation of over 4,000 seafarers from the Gulf due to maritime security risks.
- Iran, Oman Close to Finalizing Strait of Hormuz Reopening Agreement
Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement on shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe navigation for global oil supplies.
- Indian vessel attacked in Red Sea; FSUI calls for Navy protection of seafarers
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) urged the government to deploy the Indian Navy to protect merchant vessels and seafarers following an attack on an Indian vessel in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
- Indian Ship Sinks off Yemen After Projectile Hit; Minister Condemns Attack
An Indian-flagged vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank off the Yemen coast after a projectile hit, highlighting maritime security risks in the Red Sea.
- Indian seafarers face risks; 17 die, 166 trapped since February
The death and entrapment of 17 Indian seafarers due to geopolitical conflicts in Ukraine and Iran highlights the vulnerability of India's maritime workforce.
- Trump halts Iran strikes, announces talks over Strait of Hormuz deal
Donald Trump announced a halt on planned strikes against Iran to initiate negotiations involving Gulf allies over the Strait of Hormuz and denuclearization.
- US President Donald Trump instructed the military to prepare a new assault
President Donald Trump instructed the military to prepare a potential assault on Iran's energy infrastructure following retaliatory tensions.
- India’s Jaishankar Condemns Black Sea Attacks, Discusses Safety with Ukraine's Sybiha
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the safety of Indian seafarers and condemned Black Sea shipping attacks with Ukraine's Andrii Sybiha.
- Indian seafarers face drone threats; union demands MV AMIR1 evacuation
The Indian Embassy is monitoring the safety of 13 Indian seafarers on the MV AMIR1 docked in Ukraine amidst drone and missile attacks.
- Trump halts Iran military action due to Patriot missile shortages, retaliation fears
President Donald Trump halted the escalation of US military actions against Iran due to dwindling Patriot missile inventories and fears of Iranian retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Ministry of External Affairs advised Indian citizens to assess security risks
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a security advisory for Indian citizens working on commercial vessels in the Black Sea due to escalating conflict-related risks.
- Houthis' Red Sea Attacks Push Brent Crude Above $100, Grundberg Alarmed
UN Envoy Hans Grundberg warned of escalating regional tensions and humanitarian crisis due to Houthi-led maritime blockades in the Red Sea affecting global oil prices.
- Houthi Attacks in Red Sea Threaten Global Trade, Spark Wider Conflict Fears
Houthi rebels' attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab El Mandeb Strait have disrupted global maritime trade routes, sparking fears of a wider Middle East conflict.
- Trump orders US strikes on Iranian sites after Iran attacks, killing two
President Donald Trump ordered US strikes on Iranian sites following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, coinciding with a new US-Saudi nuclear deal.
- Houthis Blockade Threatens 6 Million Barrels of Oil Daily to Asia
Houthi rebels in Yemen announced a blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, threatening the transit of 6 million barrels of crude oil daily to Asian markets.
- Houthi Blockade Threatens Global Oil Trade, Forces Saudi Tankers to Change Course
Houthi militia declared a naval blockade in the Red Sea, forcing Saudi oil tankers bound for India and China to divert, threatening global energy supply chains.
- US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Oil Supplies, Raises Prices
Escalating US-Iran military conflict following the unraveling of the Islamabad MoU has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, causing a global oil supply shock.
- President Donald Trump announced that the US had launched strikes "very hard"
President Donald Trump announced intensive US strikes on Iranian military sites and communication networks following the deaths of three American soldiers.
- The US intensified airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure in Hormozgan province, leading to a collapse of the interim ceasefire and escalating regional conflict
The US intensified airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure in Hormozgan province, leading to a collapse of the interim ceasefire and escalating regional conflict.
- Over 200 Vessels Applied for Strait of Hormuz Passage Post-US-Iran MoU, Traffic Drops Sharply
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply following a period of high vessel applications after a US-Iran peace MoU.
- Indian seafarers warned off Strait of Hormuz due to ship attacks
The DGMA issued an advisory on July 15, 2026, warning shipowners to avoid deploying Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating attacks on merchant vessels.
- According to the BBC and Reuters, US President Donald Trump ordered fresh
US President Donald Trump ordered fresh strikes against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating regional hostilities and impacting global oil prices.
- Iran war live: Sirens in Bahrain, Kuwait; US ‘disables’ Iranian oil tanker | US-Israel war on Iran News
The US military disabled an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz using Hellfire missiles, leading to reported explosions in Iranian ports and air raid sirens in neighboring Gulf nations.
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Key facts
- Place: Bab al-Mandeb: A strategic strait threatened by Houthi actions. note →
- Place: Bab al-Mandeb: A strategic strait connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. note →
- Concept: Energy Security — The significance of the Strait of Hormuz for India's energy supply.
- Concept: Strait of Hormuz — A critical maritime passage for global energy security note →
- Concept: Seafarers' Emergency Support Network — proposed by PM Modi at the BRICS summit. note →
- Place: Perim Island — A strategic island in the Red Sea now controlled by Houthis
Practice · 5 questions
Which strategic maritime passage is the subject of the Iranian lawmaker's announcement regarding free passage for ships from India and China?
- (a)Suez Canal
- (b)Malacca Strait
- (c)Bab el-Mandeb
- (d)Strait of Hormuz
Answer
(d) Strait of Hormuz — The note identifies the Strait of Hormuz as the strategic maritime passage where ships can pass freely. Note →
Which of the following countries signed a security pact in August to address regional security?
- (a)Egypt
- (b)Brazil
- (c)France
- (d)Pakistan
Answer
(d) Pakistan — The note states that Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan signed a security pact in August. Note →
Which international body reported nine of the twelve tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz?
- (a)International Maritime Organisation
- (b)United Nations Environment Programme
- (c)International Monetary Fund
- (d)World Trade Organisation
Answer
(a) International Maritime Organisation — The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) reported nine of the twelve incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. Note →
In which location were the injured Indian crew members evacuated for medical treatment?
- (a)Khasab
- (b)Muscat
- (c)Dubai
- (d)Salalah
Answer
(a) Khasab — The note specifies that injured Indian crew members were evacuated to Khasab in Oman for medical treatment. Note →
With reference to the maritime situation in the Persian Gulf as of September 2026, consider the following statements:
- Over 4,500 Indian seafarers are currently operating in the Persian Gulf area.
- There are 163 Indian seafarers on 24 active cargo ships in the region.
- The MT Kazimah III is an Indian-flagged tanker en route to Lomé.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)2 and 3 only
Answer
(a) 1 only — Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: There are 163 Indian seafarers on 12 active cargo ships. Statement 3 is incorrect: The MT Kazimah III is a Kuwait-flagged tanker. Note →
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