India, Sept. 7 -- Iran is preparing to establish an "exclusion zone" around the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could further intensify the standoff with the United States over the strategically important waterway. Mohsen Rezaei, the newly appointed head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Sunday that Tehran would soon announce details of the proposed zone. He said vessels identified as attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz could be placed on an Iranian sanctions list.

What Is Iran's New 'Exclusion Zone'?

Speaking to Iranian state television, Rezaei said the proposed zone would stretch from the area covered by the US naval blockade towards the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf. He did not provide precise c...