Iran Extends Maritime Restricted Zone into Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has announced that it will establish a maritime restricted zone extending from Chabahar in Iran to parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The precise coordinates of this 'sanctions zone' are yet to be released, but it is expected to cover areas beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
This decision comes after Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, announced on Monday that Iran will establish a new exclusion zone across portions of the Persian Gulf, which includes the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for global oil trade, and any disruptions could have significant impacts on energy markets.
The tensions in the region continue to escalate, with Iran attacking 10 vessels near the Strait after the US attacked 5 Iranian oil tankers last week. This led to a surge in oil prices, with benchmark Brent crude futures breaching $100 per barrel for the first time since July 2026.