Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach o…

- **Correct Answer:** (b) 1 and 3
https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/gyangram-aeee0.firebasestorage.app/o/library%2Fimage%2FdMLkH1KhB4tmvA9B093I.jpg?alt=media&token=60845fc2-e931-4253-842d-c55e48f421e2
- **Why Bahrain (1) and Qatar (3) are correct:** The **Strait of Hormuz** is a strategically critical maritime chokepoint that forms the single, exclusive naval exit from the **Persian Gulf** into the Gulf of Oman and the open Indian Ocean. Both **Bahrain** and **Qatar** are sovereign peninsular/island nations located deep inside the landlocked basin of the Persian Gulf. Consequently, any commercial cargo vessel or oil tanker departing from their ports *must* sail eastward through the Strait of Hormuz to access international global shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean.
- **Why Syria (2) is incorrect:** Syria is geographically located in the Levant region of Western Asia and sits entirely on the eastern coast of the **Mediterranean Sea**. Its maritime trade routes flow westward into Europe or southward via the Suez Canal, completely bypassing the Persian Gulf region.
- **Why Egypt (4) is incorrect:** Egypt spans northeast Africa and the Sinai Peninsula, bordering the **Mediterranean Sea** to the north and the **Red Sea** to the east. Maritime traffic from Egypt reaches the Indian Ocean by traversing the Red Sea and passing southward through the *Bab-el-Mandeb Strait*, meaning it has no geographical connection to the Strait of Hormuz.