Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean ? 1. Bahrain 2. Syria 3. Qatar 4. Egypt

Option (B) — 1 and 3

• The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and then to the Arabian Sea (part of the Indian Ocean). Countries whose ports are located within the Persian Gulf must pass through the Strait of Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean.
• Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf and its ships must pass through the Strait of Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean.
• Qatar is a peninsula projecting into the Persian Gulf, and its ships also must pass through the Strait of Hormuz to access the Indian Ocean.
• Syria is located on the eastern Mediterranean coast, and its ships would exit through the Suez Canal or other Mediterranean routes, not through the Strait of Hormuz. Egypt is also a Mediterranean/Red Sea country and does not need to use the Strait of Hormuz.

• 1. Bahrain: Correct. Bahrain is situated in the Persian Gulf and ships from Bahrain must transit through the Strait of Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean.
• 2. Syria: Incorrect. Syria's ports are on the Mediterranean Sea. Ships from Syria would not pass through the Strait of Hormuz to reach the Indian Ocean.
• 3. Qatar: Correct. Qatar is located on the Persian Gulf and ships must pass through the Strait of Hormuz to access the Indian Ocean.
• 4. Egypt: Incorrect. Egypt borders the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Ships from Egypt can access the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, not through the Strait of Hormuz.