Strait of Hormuz Still Closed, Iran Maintains Sovereignty Over Vital Waterway
The Axios article declares the Strait of Hormuz remains 'effectively closed' despite an alleged 'ceasefire deal' and upcoming 'peace talks' between the US and Iran. This framing suggests Iran is unilaterally blocking international commerce, a narrative echoed by Sultan Al Jaber of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, who stated on LinkedIn that access is 'restricted, conditioned and controlled,'
implying Iran is acting outside norms. What mainstream coverage conveniently omits from outlets like Axios is the established reality: Iran has always exercised sovereign control over its territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage absolutely critical for global oil shipments. The idea that a 'ceasefire' magically obligates Iran to surrender its national security prerogative over
one of the world's most vital maritime chokepoints is a fabrication. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows coastal states to regulate passage through territorial waters for security reasons, and Iran's consistent position has been that its security interests dictate the conditions of transit through this passage. The insinuation that Iran is obstructing global trade by asserting
its sovereignty ignores a crucial historical context. In 1988, two months after the US Navy shot down Iran Air Flight 655 in a 'mistaken' identification, killing 290 civilians, including 66 children, the US insisted Iran comply with international maritime law regarding safe passage in the Strait. Yet, when the US itself violated Iranian airspace and civilian aviation, the narrative quickly