Strategic Locations Affected By Conflict

Locations

Geopolitical and Strategic Significance

Strait of Hormuz

• Strait is located between Iran and Oman and it links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• Iran effectively closed Strait of Hormuz causing global energy shock.
• International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates nearly 15 million barrels/day of crude oil passed through the Strait (around 34% of global crude oil trade), with most exports bound for Asia.
• Also, the Strait handles approximately one-fifth of global liquid petroleum consumption and global LNG trade. 

Iran's Energy Hubs

• Export facilities in Kharg Island (export hub for 90% of Iranian crude)
• Oil production facilities in Khuzestan 
• Gas field in Bushehr and world's largest gas field in South Pars.

Fujairah Port

• A critical maritime and energy hub situated in the UAE, geographically located just outside the Strait of Hormuz on the Gulf of Oman, allowing the UAE to bypass the strait for oil exports.

Iran Nuclear Sites

• Fortified facilities including Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, targeted to prevent nuclear weaponization.

Iran Ports and Military Bases

• Bandar Abbas Port, Hamadan Airbase, Tabriz Airport, and Parchin military installations

Regional US Military Bases

• Qatar: Al Udeid Air Base (Largest US Base in Middle East), Ras Laffan Industrial City
• Bahrain: U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in the Juffair area of Manama
• Kuwait: Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Airbase
• UAE: Al Dhafra Air Base, Dubai's Jebel Ali Port (US Navy's largest port of call in Middle East)
• Iraq: Erbil International Airport and Ain al-Asad.
• Jordan: Muwaffaq Salti Air Base
• Saudi Arabia: Prince Sultan Air Base

Red Sea 

• Red Sea is a narrow inlet of Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia, connecting to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
• Red Sea connects to the ocean through Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden. 
• Red Sea is a major global shipping route, transporting 12% of world trade.

Caspian Sea

• Israel attacked Caspian Sea as it is a key Iran-Russia supply route. 
• A landlocked body of water bordering northern Iran, traditionally considered a secure rear area far from the primary theaters of the Persian Gulf.