**Iran to Establish New Shipping Restrictions Outside Strait of Hormuz**
Iran is set to announce a new "restricted zone" for maritime activities outside the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to Mohsen Rezaei, a senior security official and secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, particularly following recent military actions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway, accounting for approximately 20% of the world's oil shipments. Rezaei indicated that the new restricted area will extend from the U.S. Navy's blockade line into parts of the Persian Gulf, impacting several key ports. He emphasized that any vessel entering this new zone would face sanctions, which could affect its insurance and future transit through the strait.
In a televised interview, Rezaei stated, "The Strait of Hormuz remains completely closed and under the control of the armed forces of Iran," refuting claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump that the waterway is open for navigation. He noted that prior to recent military actions, over a hundred vessels passed through the strait daily, but that number has significantly decreased to only seven or eight vessels per day, primarily carrying essential goods for Iran.
The backdrop to this development includes a recent uptick in U.S. military strikes against Iranian targets, which the U.S. government claims are in response to Iran's attacks on commercial shipping in the region. Last week, the U.S. conducted strikes on three Iranian commercial vessels, one of which, the crude oil tanker M/T Kylo, reportedly sank in the Gulf of Oman.
Rezaei accused the U.S. of attempting to smuggle vessels through the strait at considerable expense, asserting that these ships are often targeted. He clarified that Iran has refrained from sinking these vessels to avoid environmental damage, as they are primarily carrying oil.
In response to the ongoing military tensions, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a warning via social media, stating that the U.S. could target Iran's oil tanker fleet in the Middle East or Indo-Pacific region if Iran continues to engage U.S. ships. He declared, "If Iran shoots at U.S. ships, we will destroy (and sink) their oil tankers."
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also weighed in on the situation, asserting that any further aggressive actions by the U.S. would provoke a stronger response from Tehran. He stated, "The Americans have surely understood that the era of proportionate responses has come to an end," suggesting that recent Iranian military actions were only the beginning of a more aggressive stance.
As the situation develops, the establishment of the new restricted zone and the ongoing military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran are likely to further escalate tensions in an already volatile region. The international community will be closely monitoring the implications of these developments for global shipping and regional security.