UN Maritime Agency Urges Rejection of Iranian Control Over Strait of Hormuz

The governing council of the United Nations' shipping agency has formally agreed that countries should reject Iran's attempts to impose sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes after Tehran established a new body to control vessel traffic through one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints.

IMO Council Condemns Tehran's Move

In a non-binding decision, the 40-member council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) "strongly condemned" Iran's recent creation of the Persian Gulf ​Strait Authority. This new entity claimed in a June advisory that no vessel could pass through the waterway without a permit it issued.

The IMO Council's decision, reached on Friday, called upon its 176 member states to:

• Not recognize Iran’s claim of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Not recognize Iranian assertions of jurisdiction that violate the rights of other states.
• Not recognize any Iranian decisions aimed at "closing, obstructing, hampering or otherwise interfering with international navigation and the right of transit passage."

Iran Defends Its Position

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Iran, which does not hold a seat on the council, rejected the allegations as "selective, politically motivated and legally unfounded," according to its delegation. Tehran argued that it 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's delegation stated that its measures are intended to uphold maritime safety, protect its national security interests, and ensure navigation remains safe. Tehran asserted that these actions "do not constitute the closure of the strait."

Context for Energy Markets

The IMO's decision follows a period of heightened tension in the region, including U.S. military airstrikes and attacks on commercial shipping that Washington has attributed to Tehran. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for global energy supplies, with a significant portion of the world's seaborne oil passing through it daily.

Any attempt to control or disrupt traffic in the strait raises significant concerns for energy markets and global trade. Such actions can introduce volatility into oil prices and increase shipping and insurance costs, directly impacting the global economy. This latest diplomatic clash underscores the ongoing geopolitical risks surrounding the crucial waterway.