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TEHRAN: Iran\u2019s Guards said on Wednesday that a new \u201cprohibited zone\u201d outside the Strait of Hormuz would cover parts of the Gulf of Oman and beyond, adding that they would announce the exact coordinates later.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt approximately starts from the direction of Chabahar, covering part of the Sea of Oman and another part of the Arabian Sea, along the route that can lead to the Strait of Hormuz,\u201d Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebi told state television.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a vessel enters that area without coordination, it will be subject to our sanctions… It means, for example, that if it later wants to come and use the Strait of Hormuz, if it wants to receive services somewhere, such as insurance or other related services, we will refrain from providing those services,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes after Iran reported \u201csignificant progress\u201d with Oman, both coastal states on Hormuz, in discussions of a temporary shipping route through the strait.<\/p>\n
Iranian forces have restricted traffic through Hormuz, a vital energy conduit, since the start of the war with the United States on February 28. The US has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.<\/p>\n
Tehran has required vessels to seek permission to transit, insisting there will be no return to the pre-war system of unrestricted navigation.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Iranian forces said they have struck 10 vessels which attempted to cross Hormuz without coordination.<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump said in recent days that American forces have helped facilitate the passage of vessels through the strait, \u201caveraging 30 ships a night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s security chief Mohsen Rezaei said Sunday that the US tries each night to help five or six ships through, \u201cand usually these ships get hit.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his interview on Wednesday, Mohebi said the US should also \u201crelease $24 billion in Iran\u2019s frozen assets, and refrain from any interference in the country\u2019s nuclear and missile capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n