Iran’s new restricted zone near Strait of Hormuz threatens trade

Iran says it will announce a new restricted zone near the Strait of Hormuz within days, adding another military limitation to one of the world’s key maritime trade corridors.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, made the announcement during remarks broadcast on Iranian state television. He said the zone would be established along the line where the U.S. naval blockade begins and would extend into parts of the Persian Gulf.

The measure would further limit movement through the area and place additional pressure on international oil trade, the report said. Rezaei warned that ships entering the new perimeter would be added to Tehran’s sanctions list.

The announcement comes amid Iranian reports of deaths and injuries from U.S. attacks, as well as warnings from Tehran that it would intensify its response if the attacks continued.