The strait of high stakes, where law and leverage collide, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Strait of Hormuz is currently a "war zone" due to a US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, severely disrupting global shipping.
• The disruption impacts nearly 20% of the world’s oil and 25% of LNG trade, marking the most significant energy supply crisis since the 1970s.
• Marine insurance premiums have increased by 400-600%, with Iran reportedly demanding tolls of up to $1 per barrel for transit.
• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines regulations for maritime activities, but its application in the Strait of Hormuz is contested.

Detailed Insights:

• Maritime choke points, like the Strait of Hormuz, are narrow waterways that concentrate shipping traffic, historically amplifying naval power.
• The concept of Transit Passage under UNCLOS grants freedom of navigation through international straits, but Iran's actions challenge this regime.
• Iran's closure of the Strait conflicts with UNCLOS, as the Strait qualifies as a crucial route for international navigation, affecting global commerce.
• Despite military disadvantages, Iran uses the Strait as a strategic lever to seek concessions, given its decapitated leadership and economic embargo.
• For India, the Strait of Hormuz is vital for national security, economic growth, and stability, making its disruption a grave threat.
• India's decision to yield a mediatory role to Pakistan is a puzzling diplomatic choice, considering its ties with the US, Israel, and Iran.
• India should leverage quiet diplomacy to protect its interests and urge compliance with UN laws to prevent regional conflict and economic distress.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Maritime Choke Points: Narrow waterways critical for global shipping that can be controlled to exert naval power.
• Innocent Passage: Allows vessels to pass through a state's territorial waters with restrictions on activities and potential suspension.
• Transit Passage: Grants freedom of navigation through international straits for continuous and expeditious transit, without coastal state interference.
• UNCLOS: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which establishes regulations for maritime activities and territorial waters.

Strait of Hormuz