The Strait of Hormuz is back in the headlines. Here is what the crisis is about and why it matters for oil prices.

What happened? The US and Iran clashed in the Gulf earlier this year. Iran was accused of laying naval mines in the strait, a chokepoint for oil tankers.

What is the latest? President Trump and US Central Command declared the mines cleared on August 25. But shipping has barely recovered.

Why does it matter? About a fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait. When tankers avoid it, fuel prices rise everywhere, including in India.

What are the risks now? Maritime agencies still rate the threat as SEVERE. Iran has been accused of GPS spoofing, and insurers will not cover most vessels.

What next? Traffic will recover only when shipowners trust the security. For now, most tankers take longer, costlier routes around the region.

India imports most of its crude oil, so global price swings hit quickly.