Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said the new zone would start from the area where the US blockade of Iran begins and extend into parts of the Gulf.
Iran has not yet released detailed maps of the proposed zone. Rezaei said, however, that ships entering the area would face sanctions.
Tehran also plans to approve new navigation routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
According to Rezaei, Iran and Oman have agreed on maps for a new international shipping corridor running through their waters. He said the arrangements are expected to be formally approved in the coming days.
Iran has linked the reopening of the Strait to an end to US military action and what it describes as threats against the country.
The development comes after a weekend of attacks involving ships in the region. The incidents have raised concerns about further disruption to global energy supplies and pushed oil prices higher.
Shipping activity through the Strait has already fallen sharply. Data cited by Reuters showed that an average of about 10 commercial vessels passed through the waterway each day over the past 10 days, the lowest level recorded since May.
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, rose by about 0.8% on Monday to above $97 a barrel.
The Strait of Hormuz is particularly important to global energy markets because a significant share of the world’s oil supply normally passes through the narrow waterway.
The latest developments follow months of conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. A preliminary ceasefire reached in June has broken down, while diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations have made little progress.
After a relative pause in fighting during much of August, attacks have resumed.
The US military said it struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday, including one near Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. The strikes followed attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against US warships in the region.
Iran has repeatedly warned that it can target US interests in the region and restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has also placed additional pressure on Iran’s economy, which is already facing US sanctions and restrictions on its oil exports.
Iranian officials say the government is working on economic reforms to deal with inflation, unemployment and instability in the currency market.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Iran would respond more forcefully to attacks on its interests, while also calling for faster action to address economic problems at home.
Meanwhile, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said Kharg Island had been attacked hundreds of times in recent months but remained operational.
The United States says its blockade is continuing to restrict Iran’s oil exports. US officials also maintain that oil is still moving through the Strait, although at lower levels than before the conflict.
With Iran preparing new restrictions in the Gulf, concerns are growing that further military escalation could place additional pressure on shipping and global energy prices.
