Iran threatens wider Gulf restrictions as regional fighting escalates
Iran’s proposed Gulf exclusion zone adds to shipping fears as Houthi strikes wound 73 in Saudi Arabia and US forces hit Iranian tankers.
Iran has threatened further restrictions on Gulf shipping as attacks on Saudi cities and renewed US strikes against Iranian tankers widened the regional conflict on Tuesday (September 8).
Tehran plans to announce a maritime exclusion zone and publish maps for a new shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement’s timing remains unclear.
Iran links maritime restrictions to economic pressure
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said continued US economic pressure could prompt Tehran to establish the restricted zone across the Persian Gulf.
Writing on X, he said Washington had received a warning through Iran’s recent missile launches and that Tehran had substantially changed its operational stance towards American warships and military bases.
“Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter,” Rezaei said. His statement presented the proposed restrictions as a response to Washington’s pressure campaign, alongside a military warning to US forces.
Iranian media reported that the Qassem Basir missile had been used against US warships. The US military said its vessels evaded the attacks.
Saudi Arabia reports 73 injured
The Saudi-led coalition said Houthi attacks on Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran injured 73 civilians, including women and children.
The strikes targeted civilian and economic sites across the four southern cities. Saudi authorities condemned the attacks and said they threatened the safety of residents as well as the kingdom’s infrastructure.
The coalition said it would take measures to deter further attacks and address the sources of the threat.
Oil installations caught fire. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of escalating hostilities through air strikes on Yemen and said the group would respond.
US reports destruction of five Iranian tankers
US Central Command said American forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers on Tuesday after Iran twice targeted a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles.
The command said the American vessel avoided the attacks and continued its mission. US forces instructed the tanker crews to abandon their ships before striking the vessels in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island.
According to the command, the tankers formed part of a network financing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its regional allies.
Iran subsequently claimed a missile attack on a US base near Al Azraq in Jordan. Reuters reported no immediate confirmation from Jordan or the US military.
Energy supplies face renewed pressure
The competing blockades and attacks have disrupted energy supplies, driving oil prices back towards US$100 a barrel. Washington is seeking to escort shipping through Hormuz while blocking Iranian exports.
The US Treasury also announced aviation-related sanctions on Tuesday, describing them as an effort to ground Iranian airlines. The department said the measures targeted aviation networks that Tehran used to transport weapons, personnel and illicit cargo. Those allegations formed part of Washington’s stated justification for the action.
Source: Reuters
