2011–2012 Strait of Hormuz dispute
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The 2011–12 Strait of Hormuz dispute was a dispute between a coalition of countries and Iran. The dispute arose on 27 December 2011, when Iranian Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz.[3] In late April 2019 Iran said that it will block any shipping if it was barred from using the strategic waterway and in face of US sanctions[4]
2011–2012 Strait of Hormuz dispute | |||||||
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Strait of Hormuz highlighted by a red arrow on the image | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States United Kingdom France Australia | Iran | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
United States Navy[1] Royal Navy[1] French Navy[1] Royal Australian Navy[2] | Islamic Republic of Iran Navy | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
2 aircraft carriers 4 destroyers (3 Arleigh and 1 Daring) 4 Type 23 frigates 2 Ticonderoga class cruisers |
Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
None | None |
Subsequently, a number of naval drills and missile tests were carried out by Iran. A coalition of countries responded by sending a flotilla of warships to deter any Iranian attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz and warned Iran publicly and through letters not to close the Strait.
The dispute was interjected by a European Union sanction banning oil exports from Iran to Europe on 23 January 2012 in an attempt to deter Iran from continuing with their nuclear program. Oil exports contribute to about 80% of Iranian public revenue,[5] with roughly 20% being exported to Europe. Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, which taken together account for 26% of Iran's oil exports, have expressed a willingness to reduce oil imports from Iran.[6]