DEVELOPING: Iran Orders BLOCKADE for Strait of Hormuz

Iran Votes to Close Strait of Hormuz Following U.S. Bombing of Nuclear Sites — Final Decision Imminent

As the world reacts to the aftermath of the U.S. stealth bomber assault on Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s leadership is now preparing a bold and potentially destabilizing response: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a vital global chokepoint for oil shipments.

The decision follows a unanimous vote by Iran’s Parliament in favor of closing the Strait. While this vote carries significant weight, it is not legally binding. For the order to take effect, it must be formally approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and ultimately Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself.

The final verdict from the Supreme Council is expected by tonight, according to Iran’s own state-run media and confirmed by the New York Post.

A Strategic Choke Point with Global Consequences

The Strait of Hormuz is just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point, and even less than that in terms of actual navigable shipping lanes — which are highly vulnerable to attacks or blockades. It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serves as the primary export route for oil from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Closing it — or even threatening to close it — could disrupt nearly $1 billion in oil shipments per day, rattling global markets and sending oil and gas prices soaring in the U.S. and beyond.

Military Pressure and Rising Tensions

U.S. forces in the region, including the Fifth Fleet, along with Western naval allies, are actively patrolling the area. Iran does not have legal authority to block the strait under international law, and any attempt to militarily enforce such a closure would likely be seen as an act of war.

The Jerusalem Post and Al Arabiya quote Revolutionary Guards Commander Ismail Kowsari, a member of Iran’s National Security Commission, as saying the Parliament “has reached the conclusion” that the Strait should be closed. But, as he made clear, the final authority lies with the Supreme Council and the Ayatollah.

Kowsari warned that Iran’s response to the U.S. strikes “will be done whenever necessary.”

Rubio Issues Warning Ahead of Iranian Vote

Just before the Iranian vote, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on Fox News, warning that any attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as a direct threat and would draw a strong response. His appearance was clipped and shared by the White House’s official Rapid Response account on X, highlighting the seriousness of the moment.

Context: Operation Midnight Hammer

The move to close the Strait comes after the U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer, a major coordinated strike involving:

• Seven B-2 Stealth Bombers
• Fourteen MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) bombs
• Cruise missile attacks from a submarine
• Precision hits on Iran’s Fordow enrichment site and two other key nuclear locations

The strikes came after more than a week of Israeli assaults and were designed to deliver a crippling blow to Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.

Despite Iran’s denial of significant damage, U.S. officials have described the operation as a success.

Global Stakes: China Could Be Hit Hard

Perhaps most importantly, the closure of the Strait would not only hit Western markets — it would also severely impact China, which remains Iran’s biggest oil customer and a key geopolitical ally. Beijing, which has used its UN veto to shield Iran in the past, could now face serious pressure depending on how this crisis unfolds.

What’s Next?

As of this writing, there has been no official response from the White House or Pentagon regarding Iran’s vote.

But this situation is rapidly escalating. If the Supreme Council approves the closure order tonight, we could see:

• A spike in oil prices
• Possible military engagement in the Strait
• International condemnation and emergency diplomatic talks
• Greater risk of regional war — or even global conflict

This is a high-stakes moment. And the world is watching.

Stay tuned for developing updates as the deadline approaches.