As Iran has tightened its chokehold on one of the world’s most vital shipping routes and the Trump administration sent mixed signals about how long the war would last, oil prices have swing wildly. Rebecca F. Elliot, who covers energy for The New York Times, explains just how much the world depends on that route — the Strait of Hormuz — and how quickly shutting it down can throw global energy markets into chaos. Guest: Rebecca F. Elliott, who covers energy for The New York Times. Background reading:

How war in the Middle East is choking off the world’s oil and gas.
A jump in oil prices was a sign of growing concern that the war will continue to take a toll on energy supplies.

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