Tensions in the Middle East are boiling over as Iran’s parliament voted on Sunday to approve a motion calling for the Strait of Hormuz closure, a move that could shake global energy markets.

The vote follows a series of overnight U.S. airstrikes that targeted critical Iranian nuclear sites, prompting outrage in Tehran.

According to Iran’s state-run Press TV, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the motion, which now awaits final approval from the country’s Supreme National Security Council — Iran's highest authority on defense and security matters.

Though the measure is largely symbolic for now, it signals Iran's intent to escalate its response to what it calls a “blatant act of aggression” by the United States and its allies. “One of Iran’s clear options in response to foreign aggression is closing the Strait of Hormuz,” said Mohammad Hassan Asfari, a senior member of Iran’s national security committee. “We will act when the time is right.”

The Strait of Hormuz is no ordinary stretch of water. This narrow channel between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman serves as a vital artery for the world’s oil supply, with nearly 20% of global crude passing through it daily. A Strait of Hormuz closure would not only disrupt oil exports from Gulf countries but could also send global fuel prices soaring and destabilize already fragile economies.

Within hours of the vote, global oil markets reacted. Brent crude jumped by more than 9%, reaching prices not seen since 2022, as traders and governments braced for potential supply shocks.

Iranian authorities have stressed that the vote does not mean the strait will be shut immediately. Rather, it authorizes future action depending on how the situation unfolds. The final call now lies with the Supreme National Security Council.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has kept a cautious stance. A senior White House official confirmed they were “monitoring the situation closely” and had “taken steps to ensure the continued free flow of commerce in the region.”

As the world watches closely, the possibility of a strategic chokepoint like the Strait being closed even temporarily has sparked global concern. What happens next could have long-lasting effects — not just for the Middle East, but for economies worldwide.