An Open Letter to AP News Regarding the Strait of Hormuz
To the Editors of AP News, your recent piece, 'Iran and the US harden their positions as Tehran keeps its grip on the Strait of Hormuz,' presents a concerning narrative. You report that 'Tehran moved to formalize its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while Washington prepared for the arrival of U.S. combat forces in the region that could be used on the ground in the Islamic Republic.' This
framing suggests an equal and opposing hardening of positions, yet it glosses over the unilateral nature of U.S. military deployments and the legal standing of Iran's actions within its territorial waters. You characterize Iran's efforts to regulate passage through its sovereign waters as a 'toll booth' regime, citing unnamed 'industry experts.' This minimizes Iran's long-standing claims over the
Strait, portions of which fall within its territorial sea. International law grants coastal states rights to regulate passage through their territorial waters, especially for military vessels or those violating sanctions. This is not a novel concept but a fundamental aspect of national sovereignty. The notion that Iran collecting fees, particularly in Chinese yuan, constitutes a hostile act while
the U.S. deploys ground combat forces to Iran's borders is a striking asymmetry. What your reporting omits is the historical pattern of U.S. naval operations in close proximity to Iranian shores, often escalating tensions. Consider the 1988 shootdown of Iran Air Flight 655 by the USS Vincennes, killing all 290 civilians aboard, including 66 children. This act occurred within Iranian airspace and