US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced plans for a new “prohibited zone” near the Strait of Hormuz, extending into parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions over maritime traffic through one of the world’s most important energy routes.
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi said on Wednesday that the new zone would begin approximately in the direction of Chabahar and extend across parts of the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. He added that Iranian authorities would release the exact coordinates of the restricted area later.
Iran Announces New ‘Prohibited Zone’ Near Hormuz
According to Mohebi, vessels entering the designated area without prior coordination with Iran could face action from Iranian authorities.
The IRGC spokesman described the planned zone as covering waters beyond the Strait of Hormuz, rather than being limited to the narrow passage itself. The announcement has added another layer of uncertainty for commercial vessels operating in the region.
What Did Iran Say About Ships Entering the Zone?
Mohebi warned that vessels entering the area without coordination would be subject to what he described as Iranian “sanctions.”
Iran has not yet provided the exact coordinates of the proposed prohibited zone. The final boundaries will be important for determining how the measure could affect commercial shipping and other maritime activity in the region.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Why is Strait of Hormuz Important?
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Large volumes of oil and other energy products pass through the waterway, making any disruption a major concern for global energy markets.
The proposed exclusion area outside the strait could therefore attract significant attention from shipping companies, energy traders and governments monitoring developments in the region.
Iran Had Earlier Announced Plans For An Exclusion Zone
The latest IRGC statement follows comments made on Monday by the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. He said Tehran was preparing to announce a maritime “exclusion zone” outside the Strait of Hormuz.
Under the reported plan, Iran intends to stop vessels attempting to transit the waterway without Iranian permission. The latest comments from the IRGC provide further details about the possible geographic scope, although the precise coordinates remain pending.
The announcement comes as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remain high, with any new restrictions on shipping potentially affecting regional trade and global energy supplies.
