Gulf of Oman

The Gulf of Oman, also known historically as the Sea of Oman or the Gulf of Makran, is a prominent inlet of the Indian Ocean linking the Arabian Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, and beyond it to the Persian Gulf. Bordered by Iran and Pakistan to the north, Oman to the south and the United Arab Emirates to the west, it is a vital maritime region of strategic, economic and ecological importance. Its waters support major international shipping routes, military operations and commercial ports, while also facing significant environmental challenges.

Geographic Extent and Characteristics

The International Hydrographic Organization defines the western limit of the gulf as the line joining Ras Limah on the Arabian Peninsula with Ras al Kuh on the Iranian coast. To the southeast, the gulf meets the Arabian Sea along a line connecting Ras al Hadd in eastern Oman and the Pakistani coastline near Jiwani. These boundaries create a wide, open waterway that forms the maritime approach to the Strait of Hormuz.
The gulf’s coastline varies substantially among bordering states. Oman and the United Arab Emirates possess key port cities such as Muttrah in Oman, Fujairah and Khor Fakkan in the UAE. These ports sit near deep waters favourable for shipping and are important hubs for commercial cargo handling, including one of the major container terminals on the UAE’s eastern seaboard. On the northern shore, Iran’s port of Chabahar provides direct access to the Indian Ocean. Pakistan’s coastline along the Makran region forms an additional northern sector of the gulf.

Historical Nomenclature and Regional Identity

Historically, the Gulf of Oman has been known by a range of names in Arabic, Persian, Indian and European sources. Until the eighteenth century, it was commonly referred to as the Makran Sea, reflecting the long coastal frontier of the Makran region of Iran and Pakistan. Other historical terms include the Akhzar Sea and the Persian Sea, designations that appeared on European navigational charts and in travel accounts. These names underline the region’s long-standing role as a crossroads for maritime cultures.

Strategic and Commercial Importance

The Gulf of Oman forms the westernmost part of a crucial international maritime corridor. Its waters lead directly into the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global fossil fuel trade passes. Approximately one-third of the world’s liquefied natural gas and a major fraction of global oil exports transit this route, making the gulf central to international energy security.
The area is heavily monitored and patrolled. Naval operations conducted by the French Navy, Italian Navy and the United States Fifth Fleet underscore the gulf’s strategic relevance. Its shipping lanes support dense traffic from Middle Eastern energy producers to markets in Asia, Europe and North America.
The presence of modern deep-water ports has made the gulf an important node in global logistics. Ports such as Fujairah and Khor Fakkan attract commercial vessels requiring refuelling, transshipment and bunkering services. In Iran, Chabahar serves both as a commercial harbour and a strategic maritime outlet for regional trade corridors linking South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Ecology and Environmental Issues

The Gulf of Oman faces significant ecological strain. In 2018, researchers identified one of the world’s largest oceanic dead zones within its waters, an area nearly equivalent in size to the U.S. state of Florida. These oxygen-depleted zones result primarily from increased ocean temperatures and nutrient runoff from fertilisers, which fuel algal growth and deplete dissolved oxygen. The near absence of oxygen severely limits the presence of marine life, disrupting regional fisheries and the broader marine ecosystem.
Coastal habitats around the gulf include coral communities, sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. However, rising sea surface temperatures, expanding urban development and increasing maritime activity have placed additional pressures on delicate ecosystems. Environmental management remains a growing concern for all littoral states.

Infrastructure and Development: The Undersea Rail Tunnel Proposal

In 2018, a proposal emerged for a high-speed underwater rail tunnel connecting the United Arab Emirates with India’s western coastline. Supported by pontoons and envisioned to be several hundred kilometres long, the tunnel would represent an ambitious attempt to boost bilateral connectivity between the Gulf and South Asia. Although still at the conceptual stage, this idea reflects broader regional aspirations for enhanced maritime and economic integration.

Cultural and Popular Impact

The Gulf of Oman has also entered contemporary popular culture. It appears as a battle map in several instalments of the Battlefield video game series, where various fictional and real military factions conduct amphibious operations along the Omani coastline. These portrayals underscore the gulf’s recognition as a region associated with modern naval strategy and geopolitical tension.

Ports, Navigation and Economic Zones

Several major ports along the gulf support commercial and strategic maritime activity:

• Fujairah (UAE): A critical refuelling and bunkering hub located outside the Strait of Hormuz.
• Khor Fakkan (UAE): Home to a major container terminal with deep-water facilities.
• Chabahar (Iran): A strategic port linking Iran to Indian Ocean trade routes.
• Muttrah (Oman): A historical port within Muscat’s metropolitan area.

Surrounding these ports are exclusive economic zones, which define marine areas where coastal states possess rights over natural resources. Iran and Oman have extensive zones extending into the deeper central waters of the gulf, while Pakistan and the UAE have shorter coastlines yielding more limited but still significant maritime zones.

Regional Context and Connectivity

The Gulf of Oman forms part of a broader network of maritime routes linking South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and East Africa. Its waters have served for centuries as a conduit for trade, cultural exchange and naval activity. Today, the gulf remains integral to global supply chains and regional geopolitics. Its location between energy-producing states and international markets ensures continued relevance, while environmental challenges and developmental ambitions shape the future trajectory of the region.