Iran announces new restricted zone in the Strait of Hormuz as Brent crude nears $100 a barrel

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Sunday, September 6, 2026 (15 Shahrivar 1405), that Iran will soon establish a new restricted zone in the Strait of Hormuz, starting from the US naval blockade line and extending into the Persian Gulf, and that any ship entering the zone without coordinating with Tehran will be added to Iran's sanctions list. According to Al Jazeera, in a report published Monday, September 7 (16 Shahrivar), the announcement came after, per OilPrice.com, the US struck three Iranian oil tankers over the weekend and Iran fired a ballistic missile toward US warships stationed near the strait. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied Iran's account of a separate incident. Brent crude traded above $97 a barrel on Monday morning, while WTI crude passed $92. According to OilPrice.com, Daan Struyven, co-head of global commodities research at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg TV that oil prices could rise as high as $120 a barrel if attacks on shipping broaden. Iran continues to insist the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to unrestricted transit until US attacks stop.