In a development with sweeping global implications, Iran’s Parliament has approved a motion to close the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most critical oil shipping lane. The final decision now rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Roughly 20% of global oil and 25% of liquefied natural gas flow through this narrow waterway, connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets. Any disruption would instantly send oil prices skyrocketing, threaten global energy security, and shake already fragile economies from Asia to Europe.
Countries most vulnerable include India, China, Japan, and Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, whose oil exports depend on uninterrupted passage. Western naval forces, led by the US Fifth Fleet, stand ready to respond — but the risk of a military escalation remains high.
Iran possesses the means to block or disrupt the strait using mines, anti-ship missiles, and fast-attack vessels. Yet analysts warn that a full closure would invite severe retaliation, potentially sparking a regional war. A more likely scenario is Iran using this threat as strategic leverage in the face of mounting US and Israeli pressure.
The world is watching. A single miscalculation could push the Middle East, and global markets, into deeper crisis.