Iran to Enforce Prohibited Zone near Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced they would establish a prohibited zone near the Strait of Hormuz, covering part of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, with exact coordinates to be released at a later date.

Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebi said the zone would begin near Chabahar and extend along the route leading to the strait. Vessels that enter without prior coordination will face Iranian sanctions, and Tehran may later deny them permission to transit the strait or to access services such as insurance.

The announcement came after Iran reported "significant progress" in talks with Oman on a temporary shipping route through the strait.

Iran has restricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz since the war with the United States began on 28 February. Washington has responded with a blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran requires ships to obtain permission before transiting the strait and has refused to return to the prewar system of unrestricted navigation.

Iranian forces informed on Tuesday that they had struck 10 vessels that attempted to cross the strait without coordination.

US President Donald Trump said American forces have helped escort ships through the strait, "averaging 30 ships a night". Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei stated the US tries to help five or six ships pass each night, "and usually these ships get hit".

Mohebi added that the war could end if the US stops making new threats, withdraws the Israeli army from Lebanon, ends the blockade of Yemen, unfreezes $24bn in Iranian assets and refrains from interfering with Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities.

(malaysiagazette, bak)