On June 22, Iran’s parliament approved a resolution supporting the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments. This decision follows recent U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian territory.
The strait, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is responsible for transporting about 20% of the world’s oil and gas. Any disruption to its operation could significantly impact global energy prices, causing fuel costs to spike worldwide.
Despite the parliamentary vote, the authority to implement such a drastic measure ultimately lies with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Iranian state media highlighted the endorsement, signaling increasing tensions with the U.S. The closure of the strait would likely be seen as a major escalation and could provoke widespread international backlash due to its impact on global energy markets and trade routes.
Iran Moves to Back Strait of Hormuz Closure as Tensions with U.S. Reach Critical PointU.S. on High Alert as Iran Threatens Retaliation and Strait of Hormuz Closure
In response to Iran’s posture, the U.S. military remains on high alert. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the U.S. is bracing for possible retaliation from Iran following American airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian leaders have also made it clear that they would act in self-defense if the U.S. were to join Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran, intensifying fears of a broader regional war.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned Iran’s threat to block the strait, calling it a dangerous and self-destructive move. In a CBS interview, Rubio warned that such an act would unite the international community against Iran, isolating the country further. He emphasized that blocking the strait would mark a major escalation with potentially devastating consequences for both Iran and the broader global economy.