Tehran says it will establish a maritime exclusion zone across parts of the Gulf as tensions with Washington escalate
WEB DESK: Iran has threatened to impose a new maritime exclusion zone across parts of the Persian Gulf and claimed it has used an advanced missile against US warships near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Iranian officials said the proposed restricted zone would extend from the area covered by the US blockade into parts of the Gulf. Tehran also said vessels entering the zone could be placed on an Iranian sanctions list.
The announcement comes amid renewed military exchanges between the two countries and growing concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Iran threatens maritime exclusion zone
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran plans to announce the new restricted zone and publish maps showing a new shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.
Rezaei said the proposed zone would begin where the US blockade of Iran ends and extend into parts of the Gulf.
He later warned on social media that US economic pressure would be met with a maritime exclusion zone extending across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter. He also said Iran had fundamentally changed its operational posture toward US warships and military bases.
Iran claims missile attack on US warships
Iranian state media reported that Tehran had fired the newly highlighted Qassem Basir ballistic missile at US warships near the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the US military said its warships had evaded any missile attacks. The reported engagement has therefore not been independently established as described by Iranian media.
Iran has presented the Qassem Basir as an upgraded missile with improved manoeuvrability and guidance capabilities designed to operate despite electronic warfare and missile-defence systems.
Iranian media has also claimed the missile was first used in combat against Israel in June 2025.
Strait of Hormuz under pressure
The latest threats come as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply amid the conflict.
Reuters reported that an average of only about 10 commodity vessels a day crossed the waterway during the previous 10 days, the lowest level since May. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments passed through the strait.
Any further restrictions on the waterway could have significant implications for global energy markets because the strait is a major transit route for oil and gas exports from Gulf states.
US-Iran tensions continue
The latest escalation follows US strikes on three Iranian oil tankers, according to the Reuters report carried by Geo.
Iran has continued to threaten retaliation while Washington maintains pressure on Tehran through military operations and economic sanctions.
US President Donald Trump has said his administration aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and has predicted lower energy prices if the United States wins the war.
There has been no clear indication of a diplomatic breakthrough capable of ending the wider conflict.
Regional conflict adds to tensions
The situation is also being complicated by renewed violence in Lebanon.
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 12 people on Monday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, while Tehran has linked any lasting agreement with Washington to an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
For now, Iran’s proposed maritime exclusion zone remains a declared plan rather than an established international shipping restriction. Its implementation, geographic limits and enforcement mechanism have yet to be fully detailed.
