Thursday, 29 January 2026

DEVELOPING: Iran Orders BLOCKADE for Strait of Hormuz

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As the dust settles from last night’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iran’s range of responses has become more clear.

Not only has the Iranian leadership maintained that they will respond militarily against American targets in the region…

But now Iran has ordered the Strait of Hormuz closed.

That initial order has come from a vote by Iran’s Parliament.

And though weighty, it will require the Iranian Supreme Council’s blessing to be put into effect.

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Just before the announcement from Iran on their intentions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on Fox News with this warning, shared by the White House’s Rapid Response account on X:

Here’s that video in full screen or convenience with Rubio’s anticipatory warning against any attempt by Iran to close the Strait:

The Iranian Parliament voted almost immediately on the order following last night’s strikes by American B-2’s, according to Newsweek:

The Iranian Parliament has voted in support of closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, according to media reports.

Any final decision on retaliation, however, will rest with the country’s Supreme National Security Council and leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The parliament vote merely advises him of the option to pursue.

“The Parliament has reached the conclusion that the Strait of Hormuz should be closed, but the final decision in this regard lies with the Supreme National Security Council,” Revolutionary Guards Commander Ismail Kowsari, member of the National Security Commission of the Parliament, announced on Sunday, according to Al Arabiya and the Jerusalem Post.

The vote took place Sunday following the U.S. Operation Midnight Hammer, in which seven B2 stealth bombers flew into Iran and dropped 14 Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP) bombs on two of Iran’s nuclear sites, including the Fordow site. A third site was hit with Tomahawk submarine-launched cruise missiles.

While there has often been conflicting views on how effectively the Iranians could enforce a true shut-down of the Strait of Hormuz…

There is no doubt that the impact on the oil markets and gas prices would be felt in the US if the blockade was allowed to continue for any serious length of time.

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Check out this graphic detailing just how much of the world’s oil comes through that Strait every month:

To get a better picture of the overall traffic that transits the Strait in a single day…

Check out this crazy animation, purportedly showing water traffic in the Strait:

 

Though the final go-ahead on the Iranian Parliament’s order would have to be approved by the Supreme Council — and the Ayatollah — there appears to be a deadline associated with a response from the Council.

In other words, it does not seem as though the Ayatollah can simply let that threat hang in the air for days or weeks as a bargaining chip.

The Council must respond to the Parliament’s unanimous vote to blockade the Strait by tonight, according to the New York Post:

The move, which could block $1 billion in oil shipments per day, is likely to send oil prices soaring.

It will come into effect pending a final decision by Iran’s Supreme Council.

The Supreme Council’s decision must be made by tonight, according to Iran’s state-run Press TV.

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Iran’s major escalation in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities “will be done whenever necessary,” Email Kosari, Commander in the Revolutionary Guards, said on Sunday.

The strait connecting the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf is one of the world’s most critical chokepoints — just 20 miles wide at its narrowest point.

Shipping lanes in the strait — the area that is deep enough for ships to pass — are even narrower at less than two miles wide in each direction, making them much more vulnerable to attacks and threats of closure.

The channel is shallow, making it a particular target for underwater mining, while the narrowness of the strait makes passing vessels vulnerable to attack from shore-based missiles or interception by patrol boats or helicopters.

Iran has no legal authority to block sea traffic through Hormuz, and any attempts by its navy to bar entry to the strait would likely be met by a strong response.

Ships with the US Fifth Fleet, along with other Western navies, are patrolling the area at all times.

It is bordered by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south.

The bulk of all oil exported by the regional petro giants, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, all travel through this narrow waterway.

China, the world’s biggest buyer of Iranian oil and a critical partner that has previously used its veto power at the UN Security Council to block sanctions or resolutions against Tehran, would be particularly affected by any closure. (Emphasis Added.)

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There has so far been no word from the White House of the Pentagon on this development.

But as that NYP article pointed out, China would take a sizeable hit from the closure of the Strait — Iran’s most powerful ally.

This is a developing story.  We will bring you updates as the situation transpires and more information becomes available.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport.

View the original article here.


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