Iran’s Parliament approves to close vital energy shipping route, Hormuz, following U.S. strikes
Tehran: Iran’s parliament has approved a proposal to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial oil transit routes, in retaliation for recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, state-run Press TV reported on Sunday.
The move is not yet final. The final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the nation’s top security body.
The vote follows reported U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the Fordow enrichment facility near Qom, a site located deep within a mountain.
The Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran from Gulf Arab nations, handles roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments daily. With the waterway just 33 kilometers wide at its narrowest and only 3 kilometers wide in each shipping direction, any disruption could result in causing major shock through global energy markets.
According to reports, Major General Kowsari, a member of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Committee, has confirmed to state media that while the parliament has reached a consensus to close the Strait, only the Supreme National Security Council has the authority to make the final decision on the matter.
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Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat
Washington (AP): Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration's war in Iran.
Kent said on social media Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
There was no immediate comment from the White House.
Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.
As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.
Before entering President Donald Trump's administration, Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state. He also served in the military, seeing 11 deployments as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA.
Democrats strongly opposed Kent's confirmation, pointing to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and attracted support from a variety of far-right figures.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to distance himself from a conspiracy theory that federal agents instigated the January 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, as well as false claims that Trump, a Republican, won the 2020 election over Democrat Joe Biden.
Democrats grilled Kent on his participation in a group chat on Signal that was used by Trump's national security team to discuss sensitive military plans.
Still, Republicans praised Kent's counterterrorism qualifications, pointing to his military and intelligence experience.
Sen. Tom Cotton, the GOP chair of the intelligence committee, said in a floor speech that Kent had "dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”
