Iran plans to establish restricted zone near Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said the Islamic Republic intends to declare a restricted zone in the waters adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping corridors. The announcement reflects Tehran's efforts to assert greater control over maritime traffic through the narrow passage that separates Iran from Oman.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass, has long been a flashpoint for regional tensions. Iran has previously threatened to close the waterway and has conducted military exercises in the area, while international powers have maintained a significant naval presence to ensure freedom of navigation.

Detailsof the proposed restricted zone, including its exact boundaries and any restrictions it would impose on foreign vessels, have not been disclosed. The announcement suggests Iran may be preparing new measures to regulate or restrict maritime access to waters it considers part of its territorial sphere.

The move underscores persistent friction between Iran and Western nations over shipping safety and regional security in the Persian Gulf region. Regional analysts have characterized such declarations as part of Iran's broader strategy to demonstrate sovereignty and deter what Tehran views as unwanted foreign military activity in its waters.