Bangladesh, July 23 -- The Strait of Hormuz has once again become the focal point of one of the world's most dangerous geopolitical crises, with escalating tensions between the United States and Iran threatening not only regional stability but also the global economy. As the narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes, any prolonged disruption carries consequences far beyond the Middle East. The latest confrontation has transformed what was once a relatively stable international shipping route into a contested strategic battleground, raising fears that the future of one of the world's most important maritime corridors could be reshaped for decades.

Before the latest conflict erupted, commerc...