Iran says it will announce new Strait of Hormuz 'exclusion zone'
Iran plans to establish an 'exclusion zone' in the Strait of Hormuz following recent military escalations with the United States. This move comes amid ongoing tensions involving U.S. naval blockades and retaliatory strikes on oil tankers.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping chokepoint; further restrictions or conflict here could significantly impact global oil prices and international maritime security.
Mohsen Rezaei's comments to Iran's state broadcaster came with few details, a day after the U.S. struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran launching ballistic missiles at U.S. warships. Experts called the launches a dangerous escalation after Iran's previous attacks at sea targeted commercial shipping.
The new zone should be announced in the coming days and weeks and "will begin from the line of the U.S. 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 of Hormuz and is identified will be placed on our sanctions list."
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