After U.S. Strikes, Iran Weighs Closing the Strait of Hormuz — What It Means

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🚨 After U.S. Strikes, Iran Weighs Closing the Strait of Hormuz — What It Means




🌍 Why the Strait of Hormuz Is So Critical

  • The Strait is a 33 km-wide corridor between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, but shipping lanes narrow to just 3 km, making it especially vulnerable (ndtv.com, en.wikipedia.org).

  • Approximately 20% of global oil and LNG trade—about 18–20 million barrels per day—passes through this route (ndtv.com).

  • It's the sole sea passage for Gulf-based energy exports to global markets (en.wikipedia.org).

🇮🇷 What Iran Is Doing Now

  • Reports from Iranian and state-run media say parliament approved a motion to block the strait after U.S. strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites (ndtv.com).

  • Final closure would rest with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (indianexpress.com).

  • Historically, Iran has threatened to close it, but never acted due to the economic blowback (ndtvprofit.com).

💰 Impact on Global Oil & Gas Markets

  • Immediate price shock: Analysts warn an oil price hike of $3–5 per barrel, potentially reaching $80–100+ (theguardian.com).

  • Longer-term volatility: More sustained disruptions could propel Brent crude above $120–130/bbl (en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org).

  • Tanker and shipping rates spike: Freight costs have surged 20%+, with insurers adding $3–8/barrel in premiums (reuters.com).

🇮🇳 How India Stands to Be Affected

  • Around 2 million barrels per day of India’s crude imports travel through Hormuz—out of 5.5 million bpd total imports (ndtv.com).

  • However, India has diversified sources—including Russia, U.S., Brazil, and West Africa—using long sea routes like the Suez Canal and Cape of Good Hope (m.economictimes.com).

  • Natural gas imports remain secure, as Qatar, Australia, and the U.S. ship LNG without passing through Hormuz (telegraphindia.com).

  • Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed India's supply remains steady, thanks to diversification and strategic reserves (m.economictimes.com).

🧭 What Could Happen Next?

  1. Temporary closure: A short-term disruption could push oil prices into the $100+ territory before routes rebound (barrons.com, theguardian.com).

  2. Partial disruptions via mines or A2/AD tactics: Iran might deploy mines or missiles without full closure (en.wikipedia.org).

  3. International naval intervention: Any legit blockade would likely trigger a U.S.-led military response to reopen passageways.

🧠 Final Takeaway

While Iran’s threat to close the Strait is a powerful geopolitical warning, a complete blockade would inflict self-harm and invite military backlash. However, any disruption poses a serious risk to global oil markets. India’s diversified import strategy offers resilience, but short-term volatility remains likely.

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⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is AI-assisted and based on reputable news sources including NDTV, Reuters, The Guardian, and EIA.