What rules govern international waters?, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• Iran attacked three ships and detained two on April 23 in the Strait of Hormuz, allegedly in response to the U.S. seizing two ships linked to Iran in international waters.
• The U.S. intercepted the Iranian-owned container ship Touska and crude carrier Tifani in April, suspecting them of involvement in military cargo and oil trade, respectively.
• Following the collapse of peace talks on April 12, the U.S. announced a blockade of Iranian ships, leading to the interception of several vessels.
• UNCLOS establishes the principle of shared global commons in seas, upholding freedom of navigation with minimal exceptions.

Detailed Insights:

• The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial international passage where the territorial waters of Iran and Oman intersect, governed by the principle of "transit" under UNCLOS.
• Iran cannot regulate ship traffic or deny transit permission but can enforce restrictions such as continuous movement, adherence to traffic routes, and compliance with its laws.
• The U.S. imposes sanctions based on its national laws, restricting access to funds and business transactions for entities linked to countries in conflict, a form of economic warfare.
• The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is working with Iran to resolve the issue, proposing a plan to facilitate ship evacuation while upholding freedom of navigation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UNCLOS: A comprehensive legal framework that establishes rights and duties for the world’s waters, emphasizing shared global commons.
• Transit Passage: The right of free and unhindered passage through international straits for foreign ships, as defined by UNCLOS.
• International Waters: Areas of the sea that fall outside the territorial jurisdiction of any single nation, also known as the high seas.