Iran’s parliament has endorsed a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, in response to overnight US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Iranian state media reported on Sunday.
Iran’s state-owned broadcaster Press TV reported that the legislature had reached a consensus to close the strait. However, the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it said.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that separates Iran and Oman and serves as a vital gateway for oil shipments from Persian Gulf countries. The strait connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints. About 30% of global seaborne oil shipments pass through the narrow passage, making it extremely important for the world economy.
