Iran threatens to restrict Gulf shipping as pressure on US grows

Iran threatened the United States with “economic warfare” on September 8 and said it had launched an advanced missile toward US warships, highlighting the risks of further escalation just days after the two sides exchanged fresh strikes.

The Islamic Republic has pledged to announce a new restricted zone in the Gulf in the coming days, along with maps outlining a new shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. However, it remains unclear when the details will be made public, according to Reuters.

The new restricted zone would begin at the point where the US blockade of Iran starts and extend into parts of the Gulf, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in remarks to state television on September 6. He added that any vessel entering the area would be placed on an Iranian sanctions list.

On September 8, Rezaei reiterated the dual economic and military threats in a post on X.

“In recent days, Washington has received a clear warning from Iran’s new missiles. Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter. The operational posture toward U.S. warships and bases has been fundamentally recalibrated,” Rezaei said.

In recent days,Washington has received a clear warning from Iran’s new missiles. Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter.The operational posture toward U.S. warships and bases has been fundamentally recalibrated.

— محسن رضایی (@ir_rezaee) September 7, 2026

Rezaei was likely referring to the Qassem Basir ballistic missile, which Iranian media reported had been launched toward US warships near the Strait of Hormuz. The US military, however, said its warships had evaded missile attacks.

Iran has promoted the Qassem Basir as an upgraded missile featuring greater manoeuvrability and the ability to evade missile defence systems, as well as a guidance system designed to remain effective in the face of electronic warfare.

Despite major US barrages that have weakened Iran’s conventional military capabilities and inflicted further damage on its already struggling economy, Tehran has retained missile and drone capabilities that allow it to threaten oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz without Iranian permission and strike Gulf states that host US military bases.

By Jeyhun Aghazada