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Iran Plans New Restricted Zone in Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalation
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In Short: Iran announced plans to establish a new restricted zone in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, following recent tensions with the US.
Iran has announced plans to establish a new restricted zone in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, following recent tensions with the US. According to reports, the zone will be announced in the coming days and will extend from the US naval blockade line into the Persian Gulf, as stated by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei.
The escalation in the Strait of Hormuz began after Iran targeted US warships patrolling and escorting oil tankers, which Tehran claims are evading its blockade. Oil tankers have become the latest targets in the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, with Tehran repeatedly warning vessels against using unauthorized routes through the strait.
Prior to the conflict, 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies flowed through the strait. Iran and Oman have agreed on a temporary maritime route for ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, with entry through Iranian territorial waters. However, Washington has rejected an Iranian claim that a US vessel was attacked in a restricted area.
The announcement of the new restricted zone comes after Iran first published a map of its approved navigation routes in April, directing vessels much closer to the Iranian coastline. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) objected to this, declaring that the only authorized route was the one announced by Iran and warning that vessels crossing without permission would be 'unacceptable and extremely dangerous'.
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- “The maps of a new international corridor which lies in Iranian and Omani waters and in which Iran will have management have been agreed and should be signed in the coming days,” he added.
- US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins called the Iranian account “a total lie”.
- Following the 14-point MoU signed in June in the Swiss city of Geneva, traffic in the strait had picked up.
- When pipelines bypassing the strait are included, Wright said flows were probably at “two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows”.