What happens if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz?
Iranian lawmakers approve Hormuz closure option amid tensions
Iran’s Parliament has passed a resolution supporting the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime passage, though the final decision rests with the Supreme National Security Council. This development follows US airstrikes on three Iranian military sites, intensifying geopolitical friction in the region.
The potential closure of the strait—one of the world’s busiest oil transit chokepoints—marks a significant shift. While Iran has previously avoided such drastic measures, recent military actions by the United States appear to have escalated the situation.
Responding to media questions, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi stated that Iran is “considering various strategic responses.”
US calls on China to discourage Iranian blockade
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to leverage its influence with Tehran, warning that closing the Strait would be economically disastrous for Iran. Speaking on Fox News, Rubio said, “China relies heavily on oil shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. A closure would be an act of economic self-harm for Iran.”
Why the Strait of Hormuz Is Crucial to Global Trade
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as a lifeline for oil exports from countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This narrow corridor, just 33 km wide at its narrowest point with a 3 km shipping lane, sees nearly 20 million barrels of oil transit daily.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Strait facilitated over one-quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade and nearly one-fifth of global petroleum consumption in early 2025. Additionally, a significant portion of global liquefied natural gas shipments, primarily from Qatar, also moves through this route.
Global impact of a potential closure
Any disruption in shipping through the Strait could send global oil prices soaring and increase shipping and insurance costs. Although there are pipelines bypassing the Strait—like Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and the UAE’s Fujairah terminal—they cannot match the current daily volume passing through Hormuz.
Will Iran follow through with the closure?
While Iran has never completely blocked the Strait, even during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, it has threatened to do so in response to geopolitical tensions. Blocking the passage could involve deploying sea mines, targeting vessels, or using cyber warfare tactics.
However, such an action would also affect Iran’s own exports and those of key allies like China. Analysts believe that until recently, Iran refrained from disrupting global trade to avoid provoking a direct military response from the United States. With the US already involved militarily, that deterrent may be weakening.
Impact on India and other Asian economies
The EIA reports thatin 2024, about84%of the crude oil and83% of LNG passing through the Strait went to Asia. India, along with China, Japan, and South Korea, was among the top importers. While India has diversified its oil sources, a significant price hike could affect its economy due to the indirect impact on goods and transport costs.
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While have all sympathies for Iran, it made serious mistaks
1) it banked on borrowed might of China
2) it openly backed Hamas & hejbollah
3) Qatar though backed, kept silence & bowed, while Iran showed its rigid stiffness
4) USA is not a partner in this war but it is fighting on behalf of other middle east countries –
UAE & Saudi to decimate Iran, for they do not want iran or Iraq any dominance
5) Saudi & UAE want to take pole position for islamic countries.
6) USA again showed it cannot stay away from waging wars. It continues to bomb in the name of democracy and created an invisible enemies all over the world.