Source: Reuters
Summary
Iran has written to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) claiming sovereignty over parts of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes. The letter, seen by Reuters, argues that portions of the strait fall under Iranian sovereignty. The move is likely to exacerbate tensions with the United States and its allies. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping route, with nearly 20% of the world’s oil exports passing through it. Iran has threatened to block the strait in the past.
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The trend returns with a new name.
Iran’s claim to parts of the Strait of Hormuz is a familiar move in the country’s long-standing dispute with the United States and its allies over the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint in the region for decades, with Iran repeatedly threatening to block it in response to US sanctions and military deployments. The latest claim of sovereignty is likely to raise tensions in the region, particularly among oil-producing countries that rely on the strait for exports. The move is also likely to be seen as a challenge to the US Navy’s presence in the region. Iran’s assertion of sovereignty over the strait is a classic example of a “new” development that feels remarkably familiar.
Author: Evan Null
