UN Maritime Agency Urges Nations to Reject Iran's Control of Hormuz Strait

The governing council of the United Nations' shipping agency has formally called on member states to reject Iran's efforts to control maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The move, detailed in a non-binding decision on Friday, comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the waterway, which is a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies.

IMO Council Rebukes Tehran's Claims

The 40-member governing council of the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) "strongly condemned" Iran's unilateral decision to create an entity purporting to control traffic. The IMO, which comprises 176 member states, is responsible for the safety and security of international shipping.

The council's decision called on member states to take a clear stance by:

• Not recognizing Iran’s claim of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Rejecting Iran's assertions of jurisdiction over the maritime zones of other states in and around the strait.
• Not recognizing any Iranian decisions aimed at "closing, obstructing, hampering or otherwise interfering with international navigation and the right of transit passage."

Iran Defends Sovereignty

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The IMO's action follows the recent creation of Iran's "Persian Gulf ​Strait Authority," which declared in a June advisory that vessels would require a "valid passage permit" to transit the waterway. Iran, which does not have a seat on the IMO council, rejected what it called "politically motivated and legally unfounded allegations" against it.

Tehran's delegation informed the IMO that Iran is not a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and is therefore "not bound by the treaty-based regime." Iran asserted its measures are intended to uphold maritime security and its own sovereignty, not to close the strait.

Geopolitical Risks for Energy Markets

The diplomatic clash at the IMO underscores the fragile security situation in one of the world's most important maritime corridors. Recent hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, including attacks on commercial shipping that Washington has attributed to Tehran, have renewed concerns over the stability of global oil supplies.

Any further escalation or disruption in the Strait of Hormuz poses a significant risk to energy markets and the shipping industry. Such events could lead to higher insurance premiums for vessels, shipping delays, and increased volatility in global oil prices.