Planned maritime restrictions

Iran will declare a new exclusion zone in the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, according to statements delivered on Iranian state television. Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, announced the upcoming directive on Sunday. The planned restriction zone will extend directly from the perimeter established by the United States Navy blockade and will encompass designated sectors across the Persian Gulf. Iranian authorities intend to implement the measure as ongoing hostilities with the United States continue to affect maritime routes in the region. The waterway functions as one of the most vital international corridors for global petroleum transport, making any proposed boundary shift significant for commercial fleets.

“Within the next few days, an exclusion zone will be declared outside the Strait of Hormuz. It will start from the US Navy blockade line and will include sectors of the Gulf.”

Sanctions against commercial shipping

Under the forthcoming rules, Iranian officials intend to penalize all maritime vessels that navigate across the newly designated perimeter. Rezaee warned that any commercial ship or tanker entering the zone will be classified as a violator and added to Iran's sanctions list. The prospective enforcement mechanism introduces heightened legal and operational hazards for international shipping companies operating in Gulf waters. Tehran has maintained maritime restrictions throughout the conflict with the United States, utilizing its geographic presence along the strait as leverage against American economic pressure. The planned sanctions list represents an effort by Iranian authorities to enforce compliance outside their territorial baseline.

“Any ship entering this new zone will be placed on a sanctions list.”

Transit agreement with Oman

Alongside the exclusion zone, Iranian authorities plan to formalize bilateral navigation protocols with Oman. Iranian state television reported that technical charts governing commercial ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz have already been negotiated between Tehran and Muscat. Rezaee stated that official transit maps agreed upon by both governments will be formally signed in the coming days. The bilateral agreement establishes defined passage channels through the narrow maritime chokepoint, providing a structured framework for non-sanctioned vessel movements. Oman shares control over the strategic passage and has maintained diplomatic communication with Iran to organize vessel traffic amidst regional naval operations.

Shift in strategic leverage

The planned restrictions emerge six months into a conflict that has disrupted international markets and brought the Persian Gulf into prolonged confrontation. Washington has conducted an extensive economic campaign against Tehran alongside the deployment of an active naval blockade near the strait. Iranian analyst Arash Azizi indicated that the military balance across the chokepoint has shifted against Tehran because Iranian forces were unable to completely close the waterway. Azizi noted that the American naval blockade continues to place substantial pressure on the Iranian government. The upcoming exclusion zone and the transit deal with Oman reflect Tehran's attempt to retain maritime leverage while navigating external naval encirclement.

“The balance of power has tilted slightly against Iran.”