Iran, under the guise of security, exercises actual jurisdiction over the Strait
According to a report by the UK's Financial Times, Iran has written to member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stating that "non-hostile vessels" may pass through the Strait of Hormuz after coordinating with Iranian authorities.
Content of the letter:
"Non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to other countries or associated with them, may safely transit the Strait of Hormuz after coordination with Iranian authorities, provided they do not engage in or support acts of aggression against Iran and fully comply with established safety regulations."
The Tehran government stated it has taken "necessary and proportionate measures" to prevent aggressors and their supporters from using the Strait of Hormuz for hostile actions against Iran.
The report notes that approximately 3,200 ships are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf, at least 22 vessels have been attacked, and some ships have paid as much as £2 million to secure safe passage.
This development is highly significant. By sending a letter to the IMO, Iran is effectively attempting to "legalize" and "institutionalize" navigation rules in the Strait of Hormuz, thereby asserting its de facto control over the region. Iran’s stance can be summarized as “using security as a pretext to exercise jurisdiction.”
This is not merely a military deterrent—it is also a legal and diplomatic struggle. Iran aims to turn the Strait of Hormuz into a zone requiring a 'visa' (coordination and alignment on political stance) for passage, leveraging this as a bargaining chip to pressure the international community to exert influence on Israel and the United States regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict or other regional issues, or at least to maintain neutrality.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860603797318656/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.