Iran Parliament Approves Strait Of Hormuz Closure After US Strikes; Global Oil Markets On Edge

Iran's Supreme National Security Council is reportedly considering the closure of the Strait of Hormuz - a critical global energy route - in retaliation for recent US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

If enacted, the move could severely escalate regional tensions and disrupt nearly 20% of the world's oil and gas supply.

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State broadcaster Press TV reported on Sunday that while Iran's parliament has already approved the measure, the final decision rests with the top national security authority, reported Reuters.

"Closure of the Strait is on the agenda and will be done whenever necessary," said Esmail Kosari, a senior commander in the Revolutionary Guards and a sitting member of parliament, speaking to Iran's Young Journalist Club.

Energy Markets on Edge

The threat of a potential shutdown has unsettled global energy markets, which have already been volatile since Israel carried out surprise airstrikes across Iran on 13 June.

The further involvement of the United States has only deepened fears of disruption to oil shipments through the strait, which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

Since 13 June, Brent crude prices have spiked by more than 10%, surpassing $77 a barrel amid mounting geopolitical risk.

Recalling the 'Tanker Wars'

The current situation draws parallels with the "Tanker Wars" of the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq conflict, when oil tankers were repeatedly targeted in the Gulf. At the time, Iran struck Saudi and Kuwaiti vessels - and even American naval ships - in response to perceived support for Iraq.

In retaliation, the Reagan administration launched Operation Earnest Will in 1987, dispatching the US Navy to escort tankers. That mission ended tragically when a US warship mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988, killing 290 civilians.

More recently, in 2023, Iranian forces seized the Advantage Sweet - a crude oil tanker chartered by Chevron - in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was held for over a year before being released.

Maersk Monitoring the Situation

Despite the current tensions, Danish shipping giant Maersk has said that its vessels continue to operate through the Strait of Hormuz, although the company remains prepared to reassess the situation.

"We will continuously monitor the security risk to our specific vessels in the region and are ready to take operational actions as needed," Maersk said in a statement.

New Red Lines After US Strikes

Although shipping activity through the strait remains largely unaffected for now, President Donald Trump's recent military action could prompt a shift in Tehran's approach. The joint US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities were described by Washington as a calculated effort to dismantle Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"We devastated the Iranian nuclear program," said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. "This operation was about neutralising threats - not regime change."

A Critical Flashpoint

Any move to block the Strait of Hormuz would almost certainly trigger an international response.

The narrow maritime corridor is crucial for the energy security of key economies across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Western leaders have called for restraint and urged a return to diplomacy, but tensions in the region remain dangerously high.