By Ayomimde Otitoju
Iran’s parliament has voted in favour of closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, in response to recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and what lawmakers described as international silence.
The announcement was made Sunday by senior lawmaker Esmail Kosari, who said there was a consensus in the Majlis (parliament) to shut the strategic waterway. However, the final decision rests with the country’s Supreme National Security Council.
The Strait of Hormuz, located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, is a key chokepoint for global oil shipments, with over $1 billion worth of crude oil passing through daily. Experts warn that any closure could trigger a dramatic surge in global oil prices.
Kosari, a commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the measure would be taken “whenever necessary,” underscoring Iran’s readiness to retaliate further following U.S. military actions.
The waterway, which narrows to 20 miles at its tightest point, is highly vulnerable due to its limited shipping lanes — less than two miles wide in each direction — and shallow depth, making it susceptible to underwater mines and attacks from land, sea, or air.
Despite Iran’s announcement, legal experts and maritime authorities note that Tehran lacks the international authority to unilaterally block the strait, and any attempt to do so would likely trigger a swift military response.
In addition to Iran, other Gulf nations, including Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, rely heavily on the strait for oil exports. Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea — all major importers — are expected to be the most affected by a potential disruption.
The development follows last week’s seizure of an Israeli-linked cargo vessel by Iran near the strait, and comes amid heightened hostilities in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that American forces carried out strikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities, including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, describing the mission as a “spectacular military success.”
Speaking from the White House, Trump said Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had been “completely and totally obliterated,” adding that further strikes would follow if Iran failed to seek peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. action, calling it a “historic turning point” in the campaign against Iran.
In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on multiple Israeli targets, including Ben Gurion International Airport, according to Iranian state media.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. and Israeli attacks, calling them “a grave crime” and warning that Iran would defend itself by all means necessary. He is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for urgent consultations.
