Iran Considers Closing Strait of Hormuz After US Strikes: Global Oil Supply at Risk

In a dramatic escalation following US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Iran’s parliament has approved a proposal to shut down the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most crucial energy corridors. While the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the implications of such a move could reverberate across global oil markets and spark widespread geopolitical instability.

Strait of Hormuz: A Global Energy Lifeline

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It serves as a vital transit route for nearly 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments, with millions of barrels passing through daily. Any disruption could cripple energy supplies to major economies, particularly in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Iranian lawmaker and senior Revolutionary Guards commander Esmail Kosari confirmed that the closure is under serious consideration. “Closure of the Strait is on the agenda and will be done whenever necessary,” he said in a statement to local media.

Trigger: US and Israeli Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Tensions have been steadily rising since June 13, when Israel launched surprise airstrikes across Iran, targeting key nuclear infrastructure. The United States followed with a coordinated assault on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — key pillars of Iran’s nuclear program.

“This operation was about neutralizing threats — not regime change,” said US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. President Donald Trump hailed the strikes as a “devastating blow” to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran has condemned the attacks as acts of aggression and is now reportedly evaluating severe retaliatory options — including shutting the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would bring the global economy to the brink of a crisis.

Oil Markets React Swiftly

The possibility of a full or partial closure has sent shockwaves through international energy markets. Brent crude prices have surged more than 10% since June 13, crossing $77 a barrel as traders brace for potential disruptions.

Experts warn that further escalation could push prices even higher, hitting economies still reeling from inflationary pressures and energy volatility triggered by earlier conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Echoes of the Past: Tanker Wars Revisited?

The current crisis evokes memories of the 1980s Tanker Wars, when Iranian and Iraqi forces targeted oil shipments in the Persian Gulf during their prolonged conflict. In response, the Reagan administration launched Operation Earnest Will to escort oil tankers — a move that ended tragically with the accidental downing of Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988.

Recent years have seen similar tensions. In 2023, Iran seized the Advantage Sweet oil tanker — chartered by Chevron — holding it for over a year before releasing it. Incidents like these have turned the Strait into one of the world’s most volatile maritime flashpoints.

Maersk: Monitoring, Not Panicking

Global shipping giant Maersk confirmed that its vessels continue to sail through the Strait but emphasized that safety remains paramount.

“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, reflecting the caution many maritime firms are now adopting.

A Global Flashpoint

As of now, the Strait remains open, but international observers are on high alert. Any formal decision by Iran to close the passage would likely provoke a sharp military and diplomatic response from the US and its allies.

Western nations have urged restraint and are calling for a return to diplomacy, but the rapidly unfolding developments suggest the world may be heading toward another major geopolitical crisis — one with profound economic consequences.

For now, the world watches the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow channel that may soon carry the weight of global peace and energy security on its shoulders.