Amid the war-like situation in the Middle East, one of Turkey's straits has become the world's most sensitive chokepoint. A blockage of this route through Istanbul could cause global outrage.

The Middle East currently appears to be sitting on a powder keg, and the entire region has become a real battleground. The US has directly accused Iran of downing its Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz and launched a massive military offensive. In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have launched a dangerous drone attack on the US Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. More than three months have passed, but the movement of merchant ships on the Strait of Hormuz has still not returned to normal. However, there is another route that, if blocked by Turkey, could cause global chaos. Let's find out.

Another secret sea corridor

The entire world's attention is currently focused on the Strait of Hormuz, but international markets and military experts know that another secret underwater passage exists, which, if Turkey were to accidentally close, would cause global outrage. This sea route, held by Turkey, is so sensitive that even major superpowers would be completely shaken by its blockade. Let us today explain in detail this narrowest passage in history and geography that drives the global economy.

Geographical position of the Bosporus Strait

We're talking about the Bosphorus Strait, also known as the Bosphorus Strait. Located in Turkey, it's a crucial, all-natural waterway that ranks among the world's busiest sea routes. This natural passage directly connects the vast Black Sea to the Sea of ​​Marmara, providing a gateway to the Mediterranean Sea. This waterway, geographically striking the entire world, forms a powerful continental boundary dividing Asia and Europe.

The road through Istanbul

This historic and strategic sea route, approximately 19 miles (30 km) long, runs right through the heart of Istanbul, Turkey's most beautiful and prominent city. This waterway literally cuts the city of Istanbul in two, allowing locals and tourists to easily travel from Europe to the Asian continent in just a few minutes by boat or ship. The geographical features of this route are so unique that there is no other waterway like it in the world.

The narrowest sea route in the world

The data on the width of the Bosporus Strait is quite astonishing. Used for international shipping, or large merchant ships, it is the world's narrowest natural waterway. Throughout its 19-mile length, the passage narrows to a mere 2,450 feet (750 meters) wide. This narrowest point is located right between two of Istanbul's most famous historic fortresses: Rumelihişali and Anadoluhişali.

A unique meeting of two opposite streams

The flow of water within this narrow sea passage also baffles scientists and sailors, as it simultaneously faces two opposing currents. At the top, a very fast surface current flows from the Black Sea towards the Sea of ​​Marmara, while directly beneath it, a highly dense and salty subsurface current pushes the water in the opposite direction. These dual and opposing currents make it extremely difficult for even large ships to safely navigate this narrow passage.

The Bosporus Strait is the largest hub of global energy supply.

The Bosporus Strait is considered the most dangerous and sensitive chokepoint in the world economy because the entire global energy supply chain hinges on it. It is the main and only sea route for the transport of crude oil and natural gas from the Caspian Sea littoral and Russia to the rest of the world. Approximately 3% of all oil sold on the international market, or more than 3 million barrels per day, passes through this narrow strait daily without stopping.

Lifeline of Russia's oil exports

From Russia's perspective, this sea route is a lifeline for it, as approximately 38% of Russia's total seaborne crude oil exports travel through the Bosporus Strait alone. If Turkey were to impose any kind of blockade on this route or block ships, Russia's entire oil trade would come to a standstill. A blockage would cause fuel prices to skyrocket overnight in markets across Europe and Western countries, leading to a massive recession.

Crisis looms on the breadbasket route

This narrow waterway is not only crucial for oil and gas, but it is also considered the backbone of international food security. Huge quantities of wheat, corn, and other food grains are shipped from Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, the world's largest grain producers, to global markets through this route. This is why, in global trade parlance, this sea route is also known as the "Breadbasket Route." Its closure would lead to famine in dozens of poor countries in Asia and Africa.

Montreux Convention of International Law

Turkey's complete legal control over this highly strategic and narrow waterway was established in 1936 under a landmark international treaty known as the Montreux Convention. This international law legally guarantees the complete, unhindered passage of all civilian and merchant ships during peacetime. However, within this same treaty, Turkey is also granted certain special and stringent rights that have the power to alter the geography and history of the entire world during wartime.

Unlimited rights of Turkey in times of war

According to the Montreux Convention, if a war breaks out in the region or Turkey faces a significant threat to its security, it has the right to control any country's warships passing through this waterway. Turkey has the strict legal right to completely block this entire route to military traffic during times of war. Keeping regional security in mind, Turkey has also imposed strict restrictions on the movement of military vessels through this route during current regional conflicts.

3 times more traffic than the Suez Canal

The sheer volume of shipping traffic on this route can be gauged by the fact that it is three times busier than the world's most famous Suez Canal. According to government figures, between 40,000 and 48,000 large and small cargo vessels, giant crude oil tankers, and luxury cruise ships transit this narrow passage annually. If Turkey were to impose even the slightest blockade on this route, it would create an unmanageable traffic jam.

The military balance of the superpowers will be shaken

The Bosporus Strait is not just a trade route, it is also a key pillar of the military balance between the world's superpowers. For the countries surrounding the Black Sea, especially Russia, it is the only gateway to the open sea and international waters. If Turkey exploits its unique strategic position to lock this gateway, the Russian Navy will be trapped within its own home, and the entire global economy will be forced to beg Turkey on its knees.

PC: ABPNews