The Parliament of Iran has asked to close the Ormuz Strait after United States attacks. Specifically, the Commander of the Revolutionary Guard Sardar Esmail Kawsari has confirmed in statements to Iranian media that “The closure is being considered”, although the last word is the ayatollah Ali Jamenei.
The Ormuz Strait is a strategic enclave, so its blockage would have dire consequences for Europe. In fact, the person responsible for French intelligence services has warned that It would be a “catastrophe.”
The Ormuz Strait is between the Persian Gofo and the Gulf of Oman. For him a mean of 13 cistern ships travel to the day They transport more than 15 million barrels of oil, this represents 20% of world oil. It also travels by him a significant amount of natural gas.
Consequences for Spain, Italy and grace for the amount of oil that import
Therefore, if Iran closes the Strait, prices will shoot. You have to keep in mind that Europe imports oil and liquefied gas from Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Arab Emirates). In addition, those countries most dependent on the Middle East fuel
For example, Spain It does not have important oil deposits, so all the oil that consumes matters. And, specifically, more than 12% of the crude oil consumed by Spain comes from Saudi and Iraq Arabia.
Other countries like Italy and Greece are also very dependent Due to its geographical proximity to the maritime routes of the Mediterranean and its limited national production. In addition, it would increase inflation and energy costs and manufacturing, transport and agricultural industries would be the most affected.
Delay in imports of raw materials and consumer goods
In the same way, this place is a Key route for world maritime transportationso European imports could be delayed. Specifically, raw materials, electronic products or consumer goods.
Its proximity to the Iranian coast, especially at its closest point, makes ships that sail through this area in specially vulnerable attack points. Specifically, Iranian missiles of short and a half range They could point to oil platforms, while the surface-surface missiles could point to ports along the gulf.
An escalation of the conflict: Europe could be wrapped in war
Likewise, Iran could display warships to physically block the strait of ormuz that at its smallest point only has 34 kilometers wide.
Similarly, the blockade of the Ormuz Strait would be an escalation of the conflict. Europe could be involved in the conflict due to its alliances and obligations to NATO. Countries like France or the United Kingdom They have a naval presence in the regionso it is to assume that if there is a possible block, they will participate in it.
