Iran may be able to make such a zone dangerous and disrupt shipping, but fully enforcing a broad restricted zone, especially against ships protected by powerful foreign navies, would be extremely difficult.
Iran announced plans on September 7, 2026, to establish a new restricted maritime zone around the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas. Tehran has also said it is working with Oman on a new shipping corridor.
Why enforcement would be difficult
The Strait of Hormuz is an international strategic waterway. International law generally protects transit passage through such straits, meaning coastal states cannot simply stop lawful international navigation at will.
Iran has significant military capabilities near the strait and has shown it can threaten shipping and discourage vessels from using the route.
However, enforcing restrictions against vessels escorted or protected by the US or other foreign naval forces could trigger direct military confrontation.
Iran's proposed zone also appears to extend beyond a simple area immediately under Iranian control, making practical enforcement even more challenging.
The key distinction
Iran can potentially declare a restricted zone and use military pressure, sanctions, surveillance or threats to influence shipping.
But declaring a zone is not the same as having uncontested authority to enforce it. Its real effectiveness will depend on whether commercial shipping companies comply and whether other major powers challenge Iran's restrictions.
So, Iran can disrupt and heavily influence navigation through Hormuz, but maintaining complete control over a broad restricted zone would be much harder. The situation remains highly volatile.