Iran is preparing to introduce a new exclusion zone around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as tensions with the United States continue to intensify, raising further concerns over commercial shipping and global energy supplies.
Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s newly appointed head of the Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran was working on plans to establish the restricted area for vessels attempting to travel through the key waterway.
The proposed zone could cover an area extending from the reported US naval blockade around Iranian ports towards the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf. However, Iranian authorities have not yet clarified the exact boundaries of the proposed zone or how it would be enforced.
Rezaei indicated that the new measures could be formally announced within the next few days or weeks.
Iran tightens controls over vessels
Under the proposed arrangements, ships entering the designated area with the intention of crossing the Strait of Hormuz could face restrictions or be placed under sanctions by Tehran.
The announcement comes amid a sharp deterioration in US-Iran relations. The latest escalation followed Iranian ballistic missile attacks directed at US warships, after which the United States struck three Iranian oil tankers.
The confrontation has increasingly shifted towards the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has previously targeted vessels it viewed as supporting US interests.
US naval blockade puts further pressure on Tehran
Washington has maintained a naval operation aimed at restricting Iran’s ability to export oil through its ports. More than 20 US warships are reportedly involved in supporting the blockade.
According to information released by the US military, the operation had diverted 92 commercial vessels and disabled three others by Sunday.
The exact starting point of the US blockade remains unclear, adding further uncertainty over how Iran’s proposed exclusion zone would interact with the American operation.
Dispute over alleged attack on US vessel
Iran has continued to assert that it is capable of disrupting attempts to move through the Strait of Hormuz despite growing military and economic pressure.
Tehran claimed on Sunday that it had attacked an unmanned US vessel attempting to enter the waterway. The US military rejected the allegation and dismissed the claim.
The renewed confrontation comes after several weeks of relative calm. Fighting resumed last week, bringing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s southern coastline back into focus.
At least five people were reportedly killed earlier in the week during US bombardment, while the latest attacks have also renewed scrutiny of previous strikes carried out during the opening phase of the conflict.
Iran turns to sanctions-evasion strategies
Iran is also attempting to protect its oil trade as the US blockade increases economic pressure on the country.
Tehran has spent years developing ways to bypass international sanctions and maintain access to overseas oil markets. Iranian officials now appear to be applying similar strategies to overcome restrictions linked to the US naval operation.
Despite the pressure, Rezaei said Iran’s oil production and trade had continued.
Tehran seeks stronger guarantees from mediators
Iran has also expressed dissatisfaction with the countries that attempted to mediate between Tehran and Washington following the collapse of their negotiations.
A memorandum of understanding reached between the two countries in June quickly came under strain, with Iran and the US accusing each other of violating its provisions.
Pakistan, Qatar and Oman had played roles in the diplomatic process. Tehran has since indicated that any future negotiations would require stronger guarantees to ensure that agreements are respected by both sides.
Strait of Hormuz becomes global energy flashpoint
The latest developments have placed the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of international concern because of its importance to global oil and gas transportation.
Before the conflict, the waterway was a major international shipping route and carried a significant share of global energy supplies. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright estimated that around nine million barrels of oil a day had been moving through the strait.
However, tracking data indicated that the estimated volume was higher than the average flow recorded during the preceding 28 days.
Wright also indicated that oil was continuing to move through regional pipelines, with overall regional flows estimated to remain at roughly two-thirds or more of pre-conflict levels.
With both Washington and Tehran increasing pressure around the waterway, any further restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could have consequences well beyond the immediate US-Iran confrontation.
