The submission argues that, under the law of the sea, a coastal state exercises sovereign authority over its territorial sea, framing Tehran's position as a legal claim.
The move puts formal notice before the UN shipping body over a chokepoint central to global oil flows and increasingly tied to Washington-Tehran peace talks.
Is Iran's control of the world's top oil chokepoint a bargaining chip for peace or a prelude to wider war?
With the strait closed, what is the ultimate economic price the world will pay for the US-Iran standoff?
Navigating the 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Enforcement, Legal Disputes, and Global Economic Fallout
Overview
Between June and July 2026, the Strait of Hormuz faced heightened tensions as Iran increased enforcement actions, objecting to U.S. military presence and introducing new measures like an oil tanker blockade. This led to significant impacts on international shipping and raised global energy supply concerns. The U.S. Fifth Fleet and international naval coalitions responded by adjusting deployments and coordinating escorts for commercial vessels. These evolving enforcement strategies highlighted the complex balance between energy security and freedom of navigation, showing how military posturing and legal disputes in the Strait can quickly affect global markets and regional stability.