Iran Declares Restricted Zone in Persian Gulf Amid Clashes With US Forces
Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei announced plans to establish a restricted maritime zone in the Persian Gulf. The move follows a U.S. naval blockade that slashed Iranian oil exports and recent direct military clashes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Declares Restricted Zone in Persian Gulf
The maritime confrontation around the Strait of Hormuz is escalating, threatening to expand into a direct and comprehensive conflict over freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf. Mohsen Rezaei, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, announced on Sunday that Tehran will soon designate a "restricted zone" for vessel transit, extending from the U.S. naval blockade line inward toward the Gulf. This declaration comes amid surging military tensions and a series of maritime fire incidents in recent days.
Rezaei addressed attempts by vessels to slip through the strait under the cover of darkness. He claimed that the American side is employing highly skilled crews and investing heavy resources to conduct covert night passages, including turning off communication and identification systems. Rezaei noted that while some individual vessels manage to cross this way, all of them become immediate targets for Iranian forces. He emphasized that the passage of isolated ships does not mean the strait is open, clarifying that Tehran only permits transit for vessels carrying essential goods and food in accordance with its needs.
Threat of Strikes and Ecological Concerns
Regarding the possibility of extreme escalation and the sinking of ships, Rezaei explained that no official decision has been made to sink hostile vessels, citing a desire to prevent oil spills and severe ecological damage that would also affect Iran's coastline. However, he issued a stern warning:
"None of these ships will leave the area unscathed, and they will certainly be hit."
These threats are backed by actions already taken on the ground. Just four days ago, Tehran added 11 more vessels to its blacklist, which now includes 56 oil tankers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, and other energy transport vessels designated as violators. Iran warned that punitive measures would also apply to any vessels assisting them, including mid-sea cargo transfers.
These restrictions are already choking activity in the region. Last Tuesday, only four commercial ships were recorded passing through the strait, compared to ten the previous day and a daily average of about 13 ships in the preceding ten days—though the actual numbers may vary due to the practice of turning off transponders.
Direct Clashes and Economic Fallout
Meanwhile, the direct military confrontation spilled over into exchanges of fire over the weekend. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that its forces struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran launching ballistic missiles at a U.S. aircraft carrier and destroyer, which evaded the strikes without casualties. Conversely, Iran announced it had targeted tankers that veered into an "unauthorized route." Today, Tehran further claimed to have hit an American unmanned surface vessel moving toward the strait, a report flatly denied by the U.S. military as false.
The current crisis is leaving a sharp mark on international markets. Brent crude closed the week at $96.28 per barrel—a peak since July 24, compared to around $70 before the outbreak of the war.
The pressure on Tehran is particularly heavy due to the U.S. naval blockade imposed in mid-July. The blockade has crushed Iranian oil exports—a primary source of foreign currency and a critical supply line to China—from about 2 million barrels per day in March to a record low of 220,000–255,000 barrels in August.
Additionally, a continuous struggle over naval mining is underway in the strait. For about four months, U.S. special forces, alongside submarines and robotic underwater vehicles, have been working to clear shipping lanes of approximately 80 mines, which the International Maritime Organization reported were laid in June. Although President Donald Trump declared last week that international waters had been cleared of mines, the safety of navigation remains highly disputed. Rezaei's announcement of a shift from targeting individual ships to closing an entire geographical area threatens to ignite an even wider and continuous military conflict in the heart of the Gulf.
