Published September 7th, 2026 - 06:00 GMT
ALBAWABA - The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, said that the maps outlining shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz were agreed on with Oman, according to Iranian state television.The Iranian official said that the new agreement with the Gulf country regarding a deal for new routes in the critical waterway will be signed in the coming days. Rezaei further mentioned on Sunday that Tehran will declare a "restricted zone" outside the Strait of Hormuz, including parts of the Persian Gulf, soon.However, he did not provide extra details about the deal with Oman, nor about the restricted area, but said that any vessel entering it would be subject to sanctions.Vessels are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, off the port city of Khasab on Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula on May 17, 2026. Photo by - / AFPIn addition, the Iranian official stressed that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely closed and under the control of the Iranian armed forces". The announcement comes at a time when Iran is facing increasing economic pressure from the U.S. over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the banning of ships passing through it due to the escalation and attacks by Washington on Tehran.Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said in remarks carried by state media that the government had discussed raising gasoline prices, which are among the lowest in the world, but postponed the move amid fears of renewed protests.Tehran continued to target U.S. bases and assets in the region and disrupt oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which carried approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply before the war, following the escalation by the U.S.
