Iran plans ‘exclusion zone’ near Strait of Hormuz: What it means

Iran is set to declare a new “exclusion zone” near the Strait of Hormuz in the latest push against the United States.

According to Supreme National Security Council head, Mohsen Rezaei, the exclusion zone will be spanning from the US naval blockade line towards the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf.

Besides announcing the new restricted zone, Iran will also reveal a new shipping corridor along with maps agreed with Oman running through Hormuz.

In the coming days, the maps detailing passage routes for the ships would also be approved.

"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 said.

"We will only commit to the ​Strait of Hormuz being open when they (the Americans) stop the sabotage, threats and attacks on Iran," Rezaei added.

It means that the ships passing through the restricted zone would be added to the sanction list, aiming to counter the US-imposed sanctions on Tehran.

The analysts saw this restricted zone in the Strait of Hormuz as a part of its pending deal with Oman on shipping routes through the strategically important waterway.

Stephen Zunes from the University of San Francisco said, “If the deal with Oman is workable and something the US can accept, Iran could ‘pull back' from enforcing the restricted zone.”

“If not, then Tehran has ‘something ready to try to make it more problematic for Washington’ to refuse the deal with Oman.”

He further added that such a zone could make matters more complicated with the United States. It could also “make shipping companies and their insurers even more reluctant to make such a dangerous crossing, thereby reducing the shipping traffic.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported that an average of 9 million barrels of oil per day continue passing through the strait under US Navy escort.

On the contrary, Rezaei claimed Iran continues normal trade volumes of 1 to 1.5 million barrels daily.