Iran Plans New Exclusion Zone Near Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions With US

Tensions around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz have intensified amid renewed military confrontations between Iran and the United States. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei has said Tehran plans to announce a new “restricted” or “exclusion” maritime zone outside the strait in the coming days. According to Iranian state media, the proposed zone would begin near the US naval blockade line and extend into parts of the Persian Gulf. Rezaei warned that vessels entering the designated area could be placed on Iran’s sanctions list.

The announcement comes after the United States said it had struck three Iranian oil tankers on September 5 following Iranian missile attacks on two US Navy vessels. Iran subsequently said it had targeted vessels using what it described as unauthorized routes, while the US has disputed some Iranian claims about attacks on American vessels. The latest escalation has already affected maritime traffic through Hormuz, with shipping activity falling to its lowest level since May and oil prices rising amid concerns about possible supply disruptions.