CAIRO (AP) — The new head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, stated on Sunday that Tehran intends to announce an 'exclusion zone' outside the Strait of Hormuz aimed at vessels it believes are attempting to transit the waterway. Rezaei's comments were made to Iran's state broadcaster and included few details. This announcement follows a U.S. strike on three Iranian oil tankers in response to Iran launching ballistic missiles at U.S. warships. Experts have described the missile launches as a dangerous escalation, following previous attacks by Iran on commercial shipping in the region.
Rezaei indicated that the new exclusion zone would be announced in the coming days and weeks, stating it would begin from the line of the U.S. naval blockade, extending toward the Strait of Hormuz and continuing into the Persian Gulf. He mentioned that any ship entering this area with the intention of passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be placed on Iran's sanctions list.
The exact location of the U.S. blockade, which aims to restrict Iranian ports and prevent Tehran from exporting oil, remains unclear. The U.S. military has reported that over 20 warships are supporting this blockade, which has redirected 92 commercial ships and disabled three as of Sunday.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the U.S. has implemented new measures to increase economic pressure on Iran after negotiations collapsed. Iran has continued to attack vessels attempting to transit the strait, which has become a significant leverage point for Tehran in the ongoing conflict that began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Earlier on Sunday, Iran claimed to have struck an unmanned U.S. vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz, a claim the U.S. military dismissed as false. The recent escalation of attacks resumed last week after a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz and areas along Iran's southern coast again being targeted. A U.S. bombardment earlier in the week resulted in at least five fatalities, drawing attention back to the area where a school was hit during the initial strikes of the conflict.
The Trump administration has adopted a dual approach to the conflict, responding militarily to attacks on the strait while also targeting foreign financial institutions that handle Iranian funds. Tehran's new senior leaders, including Rezaei, have indicated a willingness to endure sanctions, as Iran has previously found ways to circumvent them and continue selling oil to ease economic pressures.
Regarding the collapsed negotiations with the U.S., Rezaei expressed skepticism not only towards the U.S. but also towards the mediators involved. He noted that the memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June quickly fell apart as both sides accused each other of violations. Rezaei stated, 'We had trusted our friends in Pakistan, Qatar or Oman, thinking that since they had stepped in as mediators, one of a mediator's responsibilities is that if one side violates the agreement, they should stop them.' He added that Iran is now pursuing diplomacy with guarantees.
The Strait of Hormuz is critical for global oil and natural gas shipments and was considered an international waterway before the conflict began. On Sunday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported that approximately 9 million barrels of oil per day are currently passing through the strait, which he stated should help alleviate pressure on energy prices. This estimate appears to exceed average flows over the past 28 days through the strait, according to TankerTrackers.com and other sources.
Wright indicated that oil is also flowing through pipelines in the region, estimating that 'we're probably two-thirds or more of preconflict flows.' However, these flows depend on the U.S. Navy's presence to escort tankers and provide protection against potential Iranian attacks. Wright expressed expectation that other countries would eventually support the Navy's efforts.
In his interview with state TV, Rezaei claimed that 'every day we are selling one million, one and a half million (barrels), as if Iran's oil production and trade are continuing as usual.'