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    Iran Israel war: Iranian Parliament approves closing of Strait of Hormuz, USA asks China to intervene. What will happen now?

    Synopsis

    Iran is reportedly preparing to close Strait of Hormuz. However, the USA has asked China to intervene and resolve the matter.

    Strait of HormuzIANS
    Iran Parliament has voted in support of closing the Strait of Hormuz.
    Iran Parliament has reportedly taken the bold measure to close the Strait of Hormuz following the US attack in three prominent nuclear sites in the country. The USA has asked China to intervene and persuade Tehran not to close the strait. Iran's Supreme National Security Council will now make the final decision on whether to close the Strait of Hormuz or not, Iran's Press TV reported.

    The decision to close the strait is not yet final and it was not officially reported that parliament had in fact adopted a bill to that effect. Instead, a member of parliament's national security commission Esmail Kosari was quoted on other Iranian media as saying: "For now, [parliament has] come to the conclusion we should close the Strait of Hormuz, but the final decision in this regard is the responsibility of the Supreme National Security Council."

    Strait of Hormuz


    The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and links the Mideast Gulf north of it with the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Arabian Sea beyond. It is 21 miles (33 km) wide at its narrowest point, with the shipping lane just 2 miles (3 km) wide in either direction.

    Iran has long used the threat of closing the Strait, through which around 20 per cent of global oil and gas demand flows, as a way to ward off Western pressure which is now at its peak after the overnight U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities.

    US Seeks China's Intervention

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday called on China to encourage Iran to not shut down the Strait of Hormuz after Washington carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Rubio's comments on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo" show came after Iran's Press TV reported that the Iranian parliament approved a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz.

    Rubio said a move to close the strait would be a massive escalation that would merit a response from the U.S. and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately provide comment.

    Rubio added that the US is prepared to talk with Iran.

    FAQs


    Q1. What is Strait of Hormuz?
    A1. Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and links the Mideast Gulf north of it with the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Arabian Sea beyond. It is 21 miles (33 km) wide at its narrowest point, with the shipping lane just 2 miles (3 km) wide in either direction.

    Q2. Who is President of USA?
    A2. President of USA is Donald Trump.

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