The island of Hormuz, today under the influence of Iran and located in one of the most important sea passages in the world, was under Portuguese control for more than a century. Its strategic relevance remains today, at a time when it is once again gaining prominence due to tensions in the Persian Gulf.
Located at the entrance to the strait of the same name, Hormuz is a key point in global energy transport, with a significant part of the world’s oil passing through this route. According to , this geostrategic importance is not recent and was already recognized in the 16th century.
A strategic position that spans centuries
The relevance of Hormuz is linked to its location. It is a narrow passage that connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, being essential for international trade, both in the past and today. According to the same source, it was precisely this position that aroused the interest of the Portuguese Crown during maritime expansion. Controlling Hormuz meant, in practice, influencing a significant part of trade between Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Historian Rui Manuel Loureiro explains that “controlling Hormuz was one of the ideas developed by the Portuguese crown” to dominate trade in the Indian Ocean. This strategy was part of a broader plan for Portuguese presence in the region.
The conquest and the beginning of Portuguese rule
The Portuguese presence on the island began in 1507, with a first attack led by Afonso de Albuquerque. However, it was only in 1515 that the conquest was consolidated and the occupation took effect. According to Euronews, Hormuz was then an autonomous kingdom with influence on both sides of the Gulf. After the conquest, it began to function as a Portuguese protectorate, although the local king formally remained in office.
During this period, the Portuguese built a fortress on the island, considered the largest European fortress in Asian territory at the time. There are still traces of this presence today.
Trade, taxes and route control
The rule of Hormuz allowed Portugal to control commercial traffic passing through the region. According to the same publication, the Portuguese Empire charged fees and taxes on goods that circulated between the Persian Gulf, India and the African coast.
Among the most relevant products were horses of Persian and Arab origin, carpets and spices. This flow of goods made Hormuz a central point for international trade. The historian cited by Euronews highlights that Portuguese interests were linked to the transport of luxury goods, which generated high profits and required fewer resources than long journeys between Lisbon and India.
A dominance sustained by strategy and diplomacy
The maintenance of Portuguese control over more than a century resulted from several factors. Among them, Persia’s orientation towards conflicts in the interior stands out, which reduced pressure on the coastal region.
According to the same source, there was also an understanding between the Portuguese and Persian authorities, which facilitated Portugal’s stay in Hormuz. This balance was maintained even during the period of union with Spain. Portuguese naval superiority was another decisive element. The ability to control sea routes made it possible to maintain influence over trade and guarantee the security of the strategic position.
The end of dominance and the shift in balance
Portuguese control ended in 1622, after a joint offensive between Persian and English forces. According to Euronews, the island was surrounded and attacked for weeks, until the Portuguese surrendered. This episode marked the beginning of Portugal’s loss of influence in the region, in a context in which other European powers, such as England and the Netherlands, were gaining prominence.
Interestingly, after the Portuguese departure, Hormuz lost part of its strategic importance. Even so, the strait continued to be one of the world’s main shipping routes. Today, the island is once again in the spotlight, showing how geography can shape power over the centuries. The case of Hormuz is an example of how a small portion of territory can have a global impact.
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