Iran to announce new restricted zone in the Gulf

Iran says it will announce a new restricted zone in the Gulf in the coming days, alongside maps for a new shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the zone would begin where the US blockade of Iran starts and extend into parts of the Gulf. He said any ship entering the zone would be placed on a sanctions list, although he provided few details about the plan.

Rezaei also said maps for a new international corridor through Iranian and Omani waters had been agreed and should be signed in the coming days. Iran would manage the corridor, according to his comments to state television.

The announcement followed a weekend exchange of strikes on shipping that sent oil prices higher. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy route, remains largely closed to tanker traffic. The source text ends with Rezaei saying Iran would only commit to keeping the strait open.

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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.