Although the waters of the Strait of Hormuz may appear calm, this region represents a primary front line in the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Iranian restrictions on shipping, together with United States measures impacting Iranian ports, have significantly disrupted this vital maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz is among several waterways where freedom of navigation faces increasing challenges.
The Principle of Freedom of Navigation
The principle of freedom of navigation was formally established in international law by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). According to UNCLOS, ships must not be impeded in international and territorial waters as long as their passage is peaceful.
These principles have facilitated decades of global trade growth, with trade volumes increasing from approximately $60 billion in the 1950s to over $25 trillion in the previous year, according to the World Trade Organisation. However, the United Nations has cautioned that this system is currently under significant threat.
Despite not being a signatory to UNCLOS, the United States has consistently acted as a guarantor of freedom of navigation. The United States has led anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean since 2009 and conducted strikes against Houthi forces in the Red Sea in 2024 and 2025, following attacks by the Yemeni armed group on vessels allegedly linked to Israel in response to the conflict in Gaza.
Escalating Tensions in Strategic Maritime Chokepoints
Recently, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has issued warnings regarding the potential closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint leading to the Suez Canal, in response to escalating tensions with the United States.
Following statements by President Donald Trump that U.S. forces would target Iranian power plants, tensions intensified further. The United States has been accused of restricting freedom of navigation by limiting vessel access to and from Iranian ports, while Iran has faced accusations of attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and proposing fees for safe passage.
Control Over the Backbone of the Global Economy
Approximately 90 per cent of Iran’s economy relies on maritime trade.
“Shipping is the backbone of the global economy. Anyone who can control it can influence the direction of the global economy. The current situation at the Strait of Hormuz reflects efforts to protect economic power,” said Stavros Karamperidis.
“Navigation rights and freedom must be restored immediately. Open the strait, let all ships pass, let the global economy breathe again,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Iran’s Legal Position
Legally, Iran’s position remains contested. “Technically not against the law, we have rules and UN conventions of the sea, Iran hasn’t rectified the convention, they have only signed the convention so they are not legally bound, but they are bound by international customary law, and freedom of navigation has been under tremendous pressure. Rules are under a lot of pressure at the moment,” said George Theocharidis.
Credit: Al Jazeera Inside story/ UN press release
