Tectonic shifts created Iran's oil reserves and strategic waterways

Geological processes involving tectonic plate collisions approximately 35 million years ago shaped the strategic and economic landscape of Iran. The collision between the Arabian Plate and the Eurasian Plate caused the shrinkage of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean and the formation of the Zagros Mountains.

Before this collision, the Arabian Plate was located below sea level, creating an ideal environment for crude oil formation. Organic matter from marine life settled on the seabed, eventually transforming into oil under intense heat and pressure over millions of years. This same geological movement also helped create the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime waterway and a significant geopolitical hotspot.