Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D) has called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen for all shipping traffic following Iran's announcement of its closure due to the U.S. blockade. This comes as the US military has stopped some ships from traveling in the Strait and blocked Iranian ports. The global energy market has been negatively impacted since the U.,S. and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran in late February, resulting in the effective closure of one of the world's key shipping corridors. Iran's Parliament Leader Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf stated that with the continuation of the blockade, passage through the strait will only be conducted with Iranian authorization. However, Energy Secretary Christ Wright indicated that the Strait will likely remain closed until the United States and Iran reach a deal to permanently end hostilities.