Iran’s parliament has voted to approve the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage that handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, in what officials are calling a direct response to recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The measure, if enacted, would mark a major escalation in regional tensions and could disrupt over $1 billion in daily oil trade, threatening global supply chains and sending energy prices soaring. On Sunday, Brent crude rose 3.9% to $80 per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed 4.3% to $77.
The decision now awaits final approval by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, which state media say is expected imminently.
“This escalation will proceed whenever necessary,” said IRGC commander Esmail Kosari in remarks on state television.
The Strait of Hormuz, just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point, is a key chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. It serves as the primary route for oil exports from Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Iran itself.
Strategic Consequences and Military Preparedness
Military analysts warn that Iran is unlikely to attempt a full naval blockade but could instead opt for asymmetric tactics designed to disrupt shipping without triggering immediate all-out war.
“Iran’s most immediate tools would include naval mines and coastal missile systems like the Ghader and Nasir, which can hit vessels up to 185 miles away,” said Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum.
The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, continues to patrol the area alongside allied forces. Any attempt to block international sea lanes would constitute a violation of maritime law and would likely provoke a swift and forceful response.
While Iran’s threat is significant, experts argue that a complete closure would be economically self-sabotaging. Iran relies heavily on the strait not only to export crude oil, but also to import critical goods and supplies.
“Such a move would be temporary and ultimately self-destructive,” Roman said. “It would also alienate key buyers like China—potentially triggering economic suicide for Tehran.”
Backdrop: U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites
The vote follows Operation Midnight Hammer, a joint U.S.-Israeli campaign that targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure, including a strike on the heavily fortified Fordow facility. U.S. forces reportedly deployed six GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs in the mission, causing significant structural damage.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the operation as “lawless and criminal,” warning that the U.S. would face “everlasting consequences.”
In a Sunday address, President Donald Trump described the airstrikes as “monumental,” citing satellite imagery that showed obliterated mountain bunkers and calling the operation a direct hit on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Global Reaction and Economic Concerns
The possibility of a Hormuz closure has triggered alarm across global markets, particularly in Asia, where countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea depend heavily on oil shipments through the strait.
Iran has disrupted Gulf shipping before—most notably in April 2023, when the IRGC seized a U.S.-bound tanker and detained a vessel linked to Israel. However, a full-scale closure of the strait would mark a dangerous and unprecedented escalation with global ramifications.
As tensions mount, Western allies and Gulf nations remain on high alert, with contingency plans being drawn up to maintain maritime security in a region once again teetering on the brink.
