The strategic chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz remains the single most critical vulnerability for the global energy market. Approximately one-fifth of the world's total liquid fuels consumption passes through this narrow waterway, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Heightened tensions between the United States and Iran—driven by issues ranging from nuclear proliferation to regional proxy conflicts—can instantly translate into volatility in crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices worldwide, impacting everything from consumer gasoline costs to industrial output in Asia and Europe.