TechFlow News, May 11: According to a CNN report, Iranian state media stated that, as the latest response to the U.S. proposal to end the war, Iran has demanded sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Located between Iran and Oman, the strait is where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) converge. Its narrow width makes it easier for Iran to launch attacks against vessels, as ships have insufficient room to maneuver and inadequate time to issue warnings or evade threats.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a coastal state possesses “sovereign rights” for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing marine resources within its EEZ. However, the Convention affirms that “ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.” It further stipulates that coastal states shall not “impede the normal passage of foreign ships through the territorial sea,” except in specific, clearly defined circumstances. Coastal states may take necessary measures within their territorial seas to prevent non-innocent passage. (Jinshi)
