UN Maritime Agency Urges Rejection of Iran's Control Over Strait of Hormuz

The governing council of the United Nations' shipping agency has formally agreed that countries should reject Iran's efforts to assert sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The decision follows Tehran's establishment of a new body to control vessel traffic through the critical maritime chokepoint, escalating tensions in the region.

IMO Council Condemns Iranian Actions

In a non-binding decision, the 40-member council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) "strongly condemned" Iran's move to create an entity to manage traffic through the strait, according to the text cited by Reuters. The council's decision calls on its 176 member states to refuse recognition of several key Iranian claims:

• Iran's claim of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Assertions of jurisdiction over the maritime zones of other nations in and around the strait.
• Any Iranian decisions aimed at "closing, obstructing, hampering or otherwise interfering with international navigation and the right of transit passage."

This action was prompted by a June advisory from Iran's newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which stated that no vessel would be permitted passage "without a valid passage permit" issued by the body.

Tehran's Justification

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Iran, which does not hold a seat on the IMO council, rejected the accusations, describing them as "selective, politically motivated and legally unfounded" in a statement to IMO delegates. Tehran's delegation argued 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 maintained that its measures are intended to ensure maritime safety and security, protect its national interests, and prevent support for acts of aggression. The delegation asserted that these actions "do not constitute the closure of the strait."

Context of Heightened Tensions

The IMO's discussion comes amid a recent exchange of hostilities between the United States and Iran, including U.S. military airstrikes. The conflict was sparked by attacks on commercial ships that Washington has attributed to Tehran.

These developments have renewed concerns among investors and policymakers about the security of global oil supplies and international shipping. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil transit chokepoints, and any disruption to navigation could have significant impacts on energy markets.