Following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday, 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 le
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Around 20 percent of global oil trade passes through the Strait. Some experts have said that if Iran were to cut off access to the Strait, it could spike oil prices by 30 to 50 percent immediately, with gas prices likewise rising by as much as $5 per gallon.
This must be a very difficult decision. It heavily affects China, as Irans biggest trade partner for oil, as well as the other exporting gulf states Iran tried to normalize relationships with during the last years. Oil prices will go up, Putin will benefit.
Thankfully there’s a price cap set for russian oil (at least by all the western countries), so not that much benefit for them. Don’t know is asian countries etc. still pay the full market price though.