Iran plans 'exclusion zone' near Strait of Hormuz as tensions with US flare again
Iran plans to establish an exclusion zone near the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to sanction vessels identified as part of a US naval blockade. This move follows recent military escalations, including US strikes on Iranian oil tankers and claims of intercepted unmanned vessels.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global oil transit point, and increased tensions threaten international energy security and maritime trade.
Iran is set to announce an “exclusion zone” around the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days and weeks, new Supreme National Security Council head Mohsen Rezaei said on Sunday. The move aims at restricting vessels Tehran believes are attempting to transit the strategic waterway.Rezaei said the proposed zone would begin at the line of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, extend towards the Strait of Hormuz and continue into the Persian Gulf. Ships entering the area with the intention of passing through the strait and identified by Iran would be placed on its sanctions list.“The new zone should be announced in the coming days and weeks and “will begin from the line of the US naval blockade, extend toward the Strait of Hormuz, and from this side continue into the Persian Gulf,” Rezaei said, "Any ship that enters this area with the intention of passing through the Strait…
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