Iran says it plans new Gulf 'exclusion zone', threatens US with new missiles - Reuters

**Iran Announces Planned “Exclusion Zone” in the Gulf, Warns of New Missile Deployments**

Tehran’s foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday that Iran intends to establish a new “exclusion zone” in the Persian Gulf, a move it says is aimed at protecting its sovereign waters amid what it describes as escalating U.S. aggression. The announcement follows a series of diplomatic protests by Iran after the United States conducted what Tehran calls “unprovoked” naval operations near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. In a televised briefing, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir‑Abdollahian said the zone would be announced “in the coming days” and that any vessel deemed a threat to Iranian security would be subject to “appropriate defensive action,” including the possible launch of newly‑deployed surface‑to‑air and cruise missiles.

The missile threat underscores a shift in Iran’s strategic posture. According to statements from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the country has completed the testing of a new generation of anti‑ship missiles capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometres away, a capability it says is intended to deter “any attempt to jeopardize Iranian maritime interests.” Analysts note that the timing coincides with a steep decline in commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which has fallen to its lowest levels since the Iran‑Iraq war, as shipping companies reroute vessels to avoid the heightened risk of confrontation. While Tehran frames the exclusion zone as a defensive measure, U.S. officials have warned that any unilateral restriction of navigation would violate international law and could trigger a broader escalation.

International reaction has been cautious but critical. The United Nations’ maritime security office reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and that any attempt to close or limit access would be “inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” The European Union called for “de‑escalation and dialogue,” urging both Tehran and Washington to return to diplomatic channels. The United States has not confirmed the specific missile types mentioned by Iran but has reiterated its commitment to “freedom of navigation” and warned that any hostile act would be met with a “proportionate response.” With oil markets already jittery, the announcement adds another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile regional security environment.