Iran Flexes Muscles Beyond Hormuz, Plans Maritime Restricted Zone In Gulf Of Oman, Arabian Sea

Last Updated:September 09, 2026, 6:27 PM IST

Iran’s IRGC plans a new maritime restricted zone from Chabahar into the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, amid rising regional tensions and a reported tanker attack off Iraq.

A boat sails through the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab in northern Oman. (Photo: AFP)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced plans to establish a new maritime restricted zone extending beyond the Strait of Hormuz into parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, as tensions over maritime security in the region continue to escalate.

Restricted Zone To Extend From Chabahar

The restricted zone will stretch from Chabahar on Iran’s southeastern coast into parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The exact coordinates of the designated area will be announced later, according to the IRGC.

Ships passing through the restricted area will face sanctions, an IRGC spokesperson said. Al Jazeera reported that the announcement comes after Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran would establish a restricted maritime zone outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.

The move marks an expansion of Iran’s maritime restrictions beyond the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, amid heightened tensions surrounding commercial shipping in the region.

Move Follows Growing Tensions Around Hormuz

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes.

The development follows comments by Mohsen Rezaei, who was quoted by Iranian state media on Sunday as saying that Tehran would establish a restricted maritime zone outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.

Tanker Reportedly Attacked Off Iraq

Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received a report of another attack on a civilian vessel off the coast of Iraq.

The vessel was reportedly struck by a projectile about 52 kilometres (28 nautical miles) southeast of al-Faw, Iraq.

“The master of a tanker has reported being struck by an unknown projectile. Crew are reported safe and there is no environmental impact reported at this time,” UKMTO said in a statement.

Foreign Oil Tanker Reportedly Targeted By Drone

Local media identified the vessel as a foreign oil tanker and reported that it was targeted by a drone in Iraqi territorial waters.

The incident reportedly caused a fire, which was later brought under control. No casualties were immediately reported.

The reported attack comes as maritime tensions continue to rise across the Gulf and surrounding waters, with Iran’s latest announcement potentially extending restrictions into the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

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Where will Iran’s new maritime restricted zone extend?

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plans to establish a new maritime restricted zone extending from Chabahar on Iran’s southeastern coast into parts of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The exact coordinates will be announced later, and ships passing through will face sanctions.

What prompted Iran’s decision to establish a new restricted zone?

The decision comes amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and follows comments by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who stated Tehran would establish such a zone. This move also follows a reported attack on a civilian vessel off the coast of Iraq.

What was the nature of the reported attack on a civilian vessel off Iraq’s coast?

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile about 52 kilometers southeast of al-Faw, Iraq. Local media identified it as a foreign oil tanker targeted by a drone, which caused a fire that was later controlled. No casualties were reported.

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Pragya Bahuguna

Pragya Bahuguna is a digital journalist at News18.com, covering national and international news, including Indian politics and geopolitics, with an interest in environment and climate affairs. She hol…Read More

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