Iran's top security official has announced plans to declare a new maritime control zone around the Strait of Hormuz in the near future.

He also disclosed that Iran recently test-fired an anti-ship missile targeting U.S. warships.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), stated in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB on the 6th (local time) that a restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz will be officially announced within days.

"This zone will extend from the blockade line established by the U.S. Navy to the waters of the Persian Gulf," Rezaei warned, adding that any vessel entering the newly designated zone will be placed on Iran's sanctions list.

Rezaei also directly refuted U.S. claims that the Strait of Hormuz remains open.

"Donald Trump's claim that the Strait of Hormuz is open is a blatant lie, and the strait is currently completely blockaded," he claimed. "In the past, over 100 ships carried more than 100 million tons of cargo a day, but now at most 7 to 8 ships are transporting only essential goods for Iran."

He also boasted of direct military action targeting U.S. warships.

"Forty-eight hours ago, for the first time in history, we test-fired an Iranian-made special anti-ship missile over the airspace of a U.S. warship," he claimed, adding, "This missile delivered hell to the Americans, and they fled."

He further claimed that while the U.S. has poured massive funds into operating 5 to 6 smuggling vessels, they too have become targets, explaining that they are not sinking them immediately because the ships are loaded with oil and could cause severe environmental pollution.

Rezaei also dismissed Western claims that U.S. economic sanctions have caused a widespread famine in Iran.

"Famine claims are a massive lie by the U.S.," he emphasized, noting that the Iranian government has long prepared for this and has sufficiently stockpiled food and essential goods.

Regarding ongoing diplomatic negotiations, he pointed out that the U.S. must first earn Iran's trust if it wishes to continue talks.

"Our biggest problem during the discussions on the previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) was the security guarantees provided by the negotiation mediators," he said, adding that Iran is continuing its diplomatic efforts with the goal of securing solid guarantees.

As for negotiations with Oman regarding the management system of the Strait of Hormuz, Rezaei shared that an agreement on a map of shipping lanes in the strait reached with Oman is scheduled to be signed within days.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)