Iran’s parliament has voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a strategic national asset.
A senior Iranian lawmaker announced on Sunday that the Majlis reached a consensus to shut the key global energy route in response to what it described as US aggression and the international community’s silence.
Although parliament supports the decision, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council holds the final authority on its implementation.
Located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz serves as one of the most critical chokepoints in global oil trade, with an estimated 17 to 18 million barrels of oil — roughly 20% of global supply — passing through daily.
A closure could disrupt over $1 billion worth of oil shipments each day, potentially triggering a sharp rise in global oil prices.
Brigadier General Esmail Kosari of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that Iran’s response to recent US air strikes on its nuclear facilities “will occur whenever necessary”.
The narrow strait, which connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf, spans just 20 miles at its tightest point, with navigable shipping lanes even narrower — less than two miles wide in each direction — making it highly vulnerable to attack or blockade.
Reports note Iran lacks the legal authority under international law to block sea traffic in the strait. Any attempt by Iranian forces to hinder access would likely provoke a strong international response.
A potential closure would also affect Asian economies heavily dependent on oil from the region. Countries such as China, Japan, India, and South Korea rely significantly on imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
China, Iran’s strategic ally and top buyer of its oil, would be particularly impacted. China has previously used its veto power at the UN Security Council to block actions against Tehran.
Iran’s own economy, already under strain, would also suffer from such a move. The country last disrupted the region’s shipping lanes in April 2024, when it seized an Israeli-linked vessel.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that American air strikes had “completely obliterated” Iran’s major nuclear sites, marking a dramatic escalation of tensions.
In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on Israel, including a strike on Ben Gurion Airport. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US-Israeli action as a “major red line” and declared Iran would defend itself by all means necessary.
Speaking at an OIC summit in Istanbul, Araghchi accused Washington of endangering global peace and said he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the crisis.
