The Iranian Parliament has voted in support of closing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes, following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to media reports.

While the vote reflects strong parliamentary sentiment, the final decision rests with the country’s Supreme National Security Council and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The parliamentary move is intended to advise the country’s top leadership of available options in response to the attacks.

"The Parliament has reached the conclusion that the Strait of Hormuz should be closed, but the final decision in this regard lies with the Supreme National Security Council," Revolutionary Guards Commander Ismail Kowsari, a member of the National Security Commission of the Parliament, said on Sunday, according to Al Arabiya and the Jerusalem Post.

Gulf states on high alert following US strikes on Iran

The vote followed the U.S. military’s execution of Operation Midnight Hammer on Saturday, during which seven B2 stealth bombers entered Iranian airspace and dropped 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs on two of Iran’s nuclear sites, including the heavily fortified Fordow facility. A third site was targeted with submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles.

US President Donald Trump said the targeted sites had been "obliterated" in the air raid, which involved a total of 125 aircraft and was completed in 25 minutes.

However, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said on Sunday that it would take time to fully assess the extent of damage to the Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

Saturday’s strike marked the first time that MOP bombs had ever been used in a combat scenario.

Source:  With inputs from agencies