Iran will establish a prohibited zone near the Strait of Hormuz and punish ships passing through

Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader said the country will establish a prohibited zone near the Strait of Hormuz and punish any ships passing through the area.

"We will announce a prohibited zone in the area outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days. This zone will start from the US naval blockade line and include some areas of the Persian Gulf. Any ship passing through this place will be included in Iran's sanctions list," Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Mohsen Rezaee announced on September 6, but did not give details about the sanctions.

The blockade line that Mr. Rezaee mentioned was established by the US on April 13, stretching from the eastern cape of Oman to the border between Iran and Pakistan. This zone includes Iran's seaports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and applies to all ships entering and leaving the country.

Mr. Rezaee denied that economic sanctions were causing famine in Iran, saying this was a lie from the US. He affirmed that the Iranian government has long planned to respond and has enough food reserves and necessary supplies.

"48 hours ago, we tested a special anti-ship missile right above a US warship for the first time. This weapon caused a nightmare and forced them to flee," Mr. Rezaee said.

Central Command (CENTCOM), the agency in charge of operations of US forces in the Middle East, on September 5 confirmed that Iran launched many ballistic missiles targeting its aircraft carriers and destroyers. The two warships successfully dodged, no American soldiers were injured.

CENTCOM then retaliated by attacking three tankers it said were linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Video released by CENTCOM shows flames breaking out and burning after the projectiles hit these ships.

National Assembly Chairman Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, head of the country's negotiating team, warned on September 6 that "the period of proportionate response has ended". "Any behavior that targets Iran's interests and security will be met with swift, fierce and more painful retaliation," he said.

The latest spiral of conflict broke out from US raids last week, taking place in the context of the war between the US and Iran still in a deadlock after more than 6 months. Iran continues to maintain tight control over the Strait of Hormuz while the US constantly increases pressure with a counter-blockade campaign targeting enemy seaports.

In addition to military action, the US is also seeking to tighten Iran's economy by announcing sanctions targeting entities with financial links to the country, aiming to force Tehran to submit.