Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question is from General Knowledge, specifically World Geography, focusing on major global maritime channels, straits, and geopolitical boundaries.
We need to identify the countries that geographically border or surround the Strait of Hormuz.
Step 2: Key Concept or Approach:
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway that connects the Persian Gulf on the west with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea on the east.
It is bounded on the north by Iran and on the south by the Musandam Peninsula (an exclave of Oman) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
• The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical transit chokepoints for global energy supplies, through which a significant percentage of the world's liquefied natural gas and petroleum passes daily.
• On the northern coast of the strait lies the Islamic Republic of Iran, which controls the northern territorial waters and several strategically located islands in the strait.
• On the southern coast lies the Musandam Peninsula, which is a strategically positioned exclave belonging to the Sultanate of Oman.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also shares a coastline nearby, extending along the southern edge of the entrance to the Persian Gulf.
• Consequently, the narrowest point of the strait lies directly between the coastlines of Iran, Oman's Musandam Governorate, and the UAE.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The Strait of Hormuz is located between Iran, Oman, and the UAE, which corresponds to option (B).