The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint in global oil supply.
This narrow sea lane in the Gulf region is a route through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows, feeding a large part of the global economy. The northern side is controlled by Iran.
As of 2023, 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas and 25% of seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait, making it a highly important location for trade. It has been so for centuries; its vast hinterlands were rich in luxury trade goods with no easy access to lucrative trading ports. After the US struck Iran's nuclear facilities and uranium enrichment facilities on June 22, 2025, the Islamic Consultative Assembly officially closed the strait with a decision.
What does it mean for global oil prices?
The Strait of Hormuz is of vital importance to gas and oil exporters in the Gulf region, as it is the only route through which large volumes of oil and gas produced by the region's oil-rich countries can be exported by sea. Located between Oman and Iran, this narrow passage connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Sea of Oman. Two supertankers with a capacity to carry around 2 million barrels of crude oil have turned back in the Strait of Hormuz after the US airstrikes on Iran, as well as the risk of retaliation that could affect commercial shipping in the region, increased. The tankers, Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty, entered the strait on Sunday and suddenly changed course. Goldman Sachs has drawn attention to the fact that risks to global energy supply have increased due to a possible disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The bank stated that this situation could lead to serious increases in oil and natural gas prices. The bank predicts that the price of a barrel of Brent crude could rise to $110 for a short time.
Is the Strait of Hormuz completely under Iranian control?
In the 1980s, Iran began to threaten the Strait of Hormuz. The Gulf Cooperation Countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates) signed a defense pact against the Iranian threat in 2000. Similar to NATO, the rule of 'an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all' was accepted. The US made various defense agreements with the Gulf countries and established military bases.
So, Iran is actually capable of seriously disrupting or blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Probably yes. Iran could attempt to lay mines across the Strait, which is 34 km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The country's army or the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could also try to strike or seize vessels in the Gulf.
Importance for the European Union
According to Eurostat data, for the energy products analysed in this article, the following figure shows their share in total EU imports in 2021-2024 and in the first quarters of 2024 and 2025. The share of energy products in total EU imports showed significant fluctuations due to strong volatility in their prices and reached 22.8% of total EU imports in 2022. This was followed by a significant decrease to 17.8% in 2023 and again to 15.4% in 2024. In addition, in the first quarter of 2025, there was a decrease of 1.7 percentage points (pp) compared to the same quarter of 2024. The distribution by products shows that the shares of liquefied natural gas (+0.6 pp) and gaseous natural gas (+0.2 pp) increased between the first quarter of 2024 and 2025, while the shares of petroleum oils (-2.3 pp) and coal (-0.2 pp) decreased.
Although Middle Eastern countries are not the largest oil and gas importers to Europe, these countries have a large share. After the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, energy prices pose a great danger not only to the European Union countries but also to the general national economy.
Forex Markets
XBRUSD, Weekly
Oil prices rose to their highest since January after the weekend U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities raised supply concerns. Brent rose 2.49 percent to $78.93 a barrel, while U.S. crude gained 2.56 percent to $75.73. If the conflict between Iran and Israel were to start again and the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed, oil prices could accelerate their rise again.
In technical analysis, we can see that the price has returned from the resistance level in the weekly time series. Despite this, MACD continues to give bullish signals. In the event that military action does not occur, price declines may continue. Otherwise, strong price increases will only be a matter of time. The target will be 88.30$.
XNGUSD, Weekly
We can see the same effect in natural gas prices. In technical analysis, the price is testing the support level instantly. At this tested level, the Fibonacci 23.6% level maintains its strong support level position. MACD continues to give bullish signals. If the price rises from the support level again, the target will be 4,770.
Conclusion
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint in global oil supply, with about 20% of the world’s energy passing through it. The geopolitical tensions between Iran, Israel, and the wider Middle East have the potential to disrupt this vital shipping route, which would have a dramatic effect on global oil prices. Analysts have warned that if the Strait is closed, oil prices could soar above $110 per barrel, exacerbating an already volatile global market.
This narrow sea lane in the Gulf region is a route through which a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows, feeding a large part of the global economy. The northern side is controlled by Iran.
As of 2023, 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas and 25% of seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait, making it a highly important location for trade. It has been so for centuries; its vast hinterlands were rich in luxury trade goods with no easy access to lucrative trading ports. After the US struck Iran's nuclear facilities and uranium enrichment facilities on June 22, 2025, the Islamic Consultative Assembly officially closed the strait with a decision.
What does it mean for global oil prices?
The Strait of Hormuz is of vital importance to gas and oil exporters in the Gulf region, as it is the only route through which large volumes of oil and gas produced by the region's oil-rich countries can be exported by sea. Located between Oman and Iran, this narrow passage connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Sea of Oman. Two supertankers with a capacity to carry around 2 million barrels of crude oil have turned back in the Strait of Hormuz after the US airstrikes on Iran, as well as the risk of retaliation that could affect commercial shipping in the region, increased. The tankers, Coswisdom Lake and South Loyalty, entered the strait on Sunday and suddenly changed course. Goldman Sachs has drawn attention to the fact that risks to global energy supply have increased due to a possible disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The bank stated that this situation could lead to serious increases in oil and natural gas prices. The bank predicts that the price of a barrel of Brent crude could rise to $110 for a short time.
Is the Strait of Hormuz completely under Iranian control?
In the 1980s, Iran began to threaten the Strait of Hormuz. The Gulf Cooperation Countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates) signed a defense pact against the Iranian threat in 2000. Similar to NATO, the rule of 'an attack on one member state is considered an attack on all' was accepted. The US made various defense agreements with the Gulf countries and established military bases.
So, Iran is actually capable of seriously disrupting or blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Probably yes. Iran could attempt to lay mines across the Strait, which is 34 km (21 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The country's army or the paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could also try to strike or seize vessels in the Gulf.
Importance for the European Union
According to Eurostat data, for the energy products analysed in this article, the following figure shows their share in total EU imports in 2021-2024 and in the first quarters of 2024 and 2025. The share of energy products in total EU imports showed significant fluctuations due to strong volatility in their prices and reached 22.8% of total EU imports in 2022. This was followed by a significant decrease to 17.8% in 2023 and again to 15.4% in 2024. In addition, in the first quarter of 2025, there was a decrease of 1.7 percentage points (pp) compared to the same quarter of 2024. The distribution by products shows that the shares of liquefied natural gas (+0.6 pp) and gaseous natural gas (+0.2 pp) increased between the first quarter of 2024 and 2025, while the shares of petroleum oils (-2.3 pp) and coal (-0.2 pp) decreased.
Although Middle Eastern countries are not the largest oil and gas importers to Europe, these countries have a large share. After the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, energy prices pose a great danger not only to the European Union countries but also to the general national economy.
Forex Markets
XBRUSD, Weekly
Oil prices rose to their highest since January after the weekend U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities raised supply concerns. Brent rose 2.49 percent to $78.93 a barrel, while U.S. crude gained 2.56 percent to $75.73. If the conflict between Iran and Israel were to start again and the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed, oil prices could accelerate their rise again.
In technical analysis, we can see that the price has returned from the resistance level in the weekly time series. Despite this, MACD continues to give bullish signals. In the event that military action does not occur, price declines may continue. Otherwise, strong price increases will only be a matter of time. The target will be 88.30$.
XNGUSD, Weekly
We can see the same effect in natural gas prices. In technical analysis, the price is testing the support level instantly. At this tested level, the Fibonacci 23.6% level maintains its strong support level position. MACD continues to give bullish signals. If the price rises from the support level again, the target will be 4,770.
Conclusion
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint in global oil supply, with about 20% of the world’s energy passing through it. The geopolitical tensions between Iran, Israel, and the wider Middle East have the potential to disrupt this vital shipping route, which would have a dramatic effect on global oil prices. Analysts have warned that if the Strait is closed, oil prices could soar above $110 per barrel, exacerbating an already volatile global market.
IronFX Celebrates 15 Years of Creating Strong Partnerships
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
