‘World’s Most Important Oil Chokepoint’ Is Ground Zero for the Escalating U.S.-Iran Feud

Dhows, fishing boats and cargo ships are seen in the Strait of Hormuz at Khasab area of Oman on January 14, 2011. Iran has responded to western threats of an oil embargo by warning it will close the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for 20 percent of the world's oil at the entrance to the Gulf, in retaliation. AFP PHOTO/MARWAN NAAMANI (Photo credit should read MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)