The Strait of Hormuz does not belong to one country. Its waters and shipping lanes sit between Iran on the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates on the south , and the passage is governed by international maritime law rather than owned outright by any state.

What that means

  • Iran borders the northern side and has strong military influence in the area.
  • Oman controls the southern side through the Musandam Peninsula, with the UAE also bordering nearby waters.
  • The navigation channel used by ships is a global chokepoint, so international shipping rules apply.

Simple answer

If you mean “who owns it,” the best answer is: no single country owns the Strait of Hormuz.

If you mean “who can affect it,” Iran has the most direct leverage , but it still is not the legal owner of the strait.

Why it matters

About one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass through this waterway, which is why any tension there gets immediate global attention.

TL;DR: The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway between Iran and Oman/UAE, not the property of one nation.