Story
UN Maritime Agency Urges Nations to Reject Iran's Control Over Strait of Hormuz
Summary
The UN's top shipping agency has called on its member states to reject Iran's unilateral efforts to control vessel traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz. The move follows Tehran's creation of a new authority requiring permits for passage.
The United Nations' top maritime body has urged its member states to reject Iran's attempts to assert control over vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. The move follows Tehran's creation of a new authority purporting to regulate passage through the strategic waterway.
IMO Council Condemns Iranian Move
The governing council of the London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO) "strongly condemned" Iran's decision in a non-binding text agreed to on Friday, according to the document. The 40-member council called on all 176 member states to refuse recognition of Iran's actions.
The decision specifically urges countries not to recognize:
- Iran's claim of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
- The establishment of an Iranian entity, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, to control traffic.
- Any Iranian decisions aimed at "closing, obstructing, hampering or otherwise interfering with international navigation."
Iran Defends Its Position
AdThe IMO's decision follows a June advisory from Iran's new authority, which stated that no vessel could pass through the waterway without a "valid passage permit." In response to criticism during the IMO session, Iran's delegation, which does not have a seat on the council, rejected the allegations as "politically motivated and legally unfounded."
Tehran's representatives noted 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." The delegation stated its measures are intended to "uphold maritime safety and security" and do not constitute a closure of the strait.
Context and Market Impact
This diplomatic clash heightens uncertainty for global shipping and energy markets, as a significant portion of the world's oil supply transits the strait. The dispute comes amid recent hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, including attacks on commercial vessels that Washington has attributed to Tehran, raising concerns about the security of vital shipping lanes and the potential for supply disruptions.