Iran has announced plans to establish a new restricted zone in the Gulf and publish maps for a new shipping corridor through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as tensions with the United States continue to disrupt shipping traffic and drive up oil prices.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, revealed the plan in an interview with Iranian state television on Sunday.
According to Rezaei, the new restricted zone will begin from what Tehran considers the starting point of the US naval blockade of Iran and will extend to parts of the Gulf.
He said details of the area would be announced in the coming days, adding that any ship entering the area would be placed on an Iranian sanctions list.
The announcement comes amid renewed military tensions between Iran and the United States, with attacks on oil tankers and other shipping vessels around the Strait of Hormuz raising concerns about the security of one of the world’s most important energy routes.
Rezaei also said Iran and Oman were working on a new international shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, and maps of the proposed route are expected to be published soon.
He said Iran would play a role in managing the proposed corridor in coordination with Oman.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is a crucial route for global energy supplies. Disruptions to shipping across the waterway have therefore raised concerns about further increases in oil prices and possible shortages.
Oil prices rose on Monday as markets reacted to the latest rally. Brent crude was trading near $96 a barrel after posting a sharp rise last week. Reuters reported that oil tanker traffic through the strait had also slowed significantly amid heightened security risks.
Rezaei said Iran would keep the Strait of Hormuz open if the United States stopped what Tehran sees as threats and attacks against it.
The Iranian official’s comments came after an exchange of military strikes over the weekend involving the two countries. The United States has attacked Iranian oil tankers, while Iran has threatened further retaliation.
The latest development has raised concerns among governments, shipping companies and energy traders that the continued confrontation could further disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s proposed restricted zone could also create additional uncertainty for commercial vessels operating in the Gulf, particularly if vessels face sanctions for entering areas designated by Tehran.
Diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran continue, but the latest military escalation has raised new questions about the future of shipping and energy supplies in the region.
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