• Iran claims it is not bound by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and asserts sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Tehran warns it may take "proportionate measures" against security threats, potentially disrupting global oil flows.
  • The U.S. is blamed for escalating tensions, with Iran stating that any disruption would be Washington's responsibility.

Iran's mission to the United Nations has formally rejected the applicability of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to its actions in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Tehran is not a party to the treaty and therefore not bound by its transit passage rules. In a statement, the mission asserted Iran's authority over the strait, claiming the legal right to take "proportionate measures" to address security threats and protect navigation. This stance challenges the established customary international law that guarantees freedom of navigation through the chokepoint, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes.

Tehran's position escalates a long-standing dispute over the legal status of the strait, which Iran views as part of its territorial sea subject to innocent passage, rather than transit passage under UNCLOS. Iranian officials have cited self-defense principles to justify potential restrictions or closures in response to perceived threats. The move comes amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, with Tehran accusing Washington of endangering maritime security and warning that regional stability requires an end to aggression against Iran and respect for its sovereignty.

"Any disruption in the Persian Gulf would be the responsibility of the U.S.," the Iranian mission said, signaling a posture of countermeasures. Reports of increased friction in the Strait of Hormuz, including security measures and possible disruptions to shipping, continue to emerge. International observers are watching for potential escalations that could affect crude prices, insurance costs, and global shipping routes. Analysts note that any perceived threat to open navigation can prompt market volatility and longer-term shifts in regional energy security policies.