by Olawale Dawodu
Iran Parliament Backs Strait of Hormuz Closure After U.S. Strikes on Nuclear Sites, Global Oil Markets Rattle…
In a bold and alarming move, Iran’s Parliament has unanimously voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital oil and gas shipping lane in retaliation for recent U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While the parliamentary vote signals Iran’s intent to escalate, the final decision lies with the Supreme National Security Council, which has yet to authorize the measure.
The potential closure of the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil supply flows, has sent shockwaves through global markets. Oil prices surged amid fears of a full-blown blockade, and major shipping firms are scrambling to protect their vessels as risk assessments intensify.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the Iranian move as “economic suicide” and warned of a decisive military response if Tehran proceeds. Rubio urged China, a key Iranian oil customer to pressure Iran against closing the strait, underscoring the shared economic risks.
American military forces in the region have been placed on high alert. The Pentagon is reportedly developing contingency plans, including possible naval operations to ensure the continued flow of maritime traffic through the strait.
The Iranian vote marks the most severe threat to global energy supplies since the 1980s Tanker War, during which Iran and Iraq targeted commercial shipping. While recent instability in the region has already disrupted air and sea routes, a full closure of Hormuz would present an unprecedented challenge to global energy security at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and already volatile markets.
