Petition For Peace - Send UN Peacekeepers To Palestine
Iran and Oman do have the right under the Law of the Sea to control "innocent passage" in the Strait of Hormuz. On the other hand, Israel does not have the right to control the high seas, nor the coastal waters of Palestine. The world can not obsess with only one and ignore the other.
Each nation has the right to restrict navigation within 12 miles of tier coasts to ships which threaten the peace or security of either nation, thus almost all of the Strait of Hormuz can be legally controlled by either Iran or Oman.
Innocent passage is a principle of international maritime law allowing foreign vessels to transit through a coastal state’s territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles) swiftly and without stopping, provided the passage is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the state. It is defined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Key Aspects of Innocent Passage:
Definition & Requirements: Passage must be continuous and expeditious. Vessels may stop or anchor only if incidental to ordinary navigation or forced by distress, force majeure, or assisting distressed persons.
Non-Innocent Activities: Passage is "prejudicial" (not innocent) if a vessel engages in activities such as:
Threats or use of force. Weapons exercises. Intelligence gathering or collecting information prejudicial to the coastal state. Launching, landing, or taking on board aircraft or military devices. Willful and serious pollution. Fishing or research activities.
Submarines: Submarines and other underwater vehicles must navigate on the surface and show their flag.
Types of Vessels: Primarily applies to merchant ships, but the right extends to warships. However, aircraft do not enjoy the right of innocent passage and must remain on board.
Coastal State Rights: Coastal states can temporarily suspend innocent passage in specified areas of their territorial sea if such suspension is essential for security.
The concept is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It serves as a compromise, balancing the freedom of navigation for maritime states with the security interests of coastal states.
UNCLOS Articles 17-26 specifically govern innocent passage.
Gulf of Aqaba/Vilkitsky Straits incidents are often cited regarding debates on the limits of this right.
Trump's proposed blockade of shipping violates international law, but then Trump is an habitual violator of international law, so what do you expect?
