Iran to declare ‘restricted’ maritime zone beyond Strait of Hormuz

Iran will establish a new “restricted” zone outside the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s top national security official said, warning that any vessel entering the area would be added to a sanctions list.

The announcement came a day after the United States struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran launching ballistic missiles at U.S. warships.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a televised interview that the zone would start at the line of the U.S. Navy’s blockade and stretch into parts of the Gulf.

The measure will take effect in the coming days, Rezaei said.

He said that the Strait of Hormuz was completely closed and under the control of Iran’s armed forces, denying U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that the strategic waterway remained open.