Iran is attempting to assert sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz by targeting commercial vessels and planning passage fees for submarine cable operators [1, 2].
These actions threaten one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, where international trade and energy security depend on the free flow of traffic between Iran and Oman [1, 2].
Jooy Hood, a former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, said Tehran is trying to impose its sovereignty by force on the international passage [1]. The move involves targeting commercial ships without consulting regional partners, which disrupts the established norms of maritime transit [1, 2].
In addition to vessel targeting, Iran is planning to levy fees on operators of submarine cables that cross the strait [2]. These cables are essential for global internet and telecommunications connectivity, making any financial or regulatory hurdle a point of international concern [2].
Other perspectives suggest the motivation is not merely about control. Some Iranian and Arab academics and researchers said the behavior stems from a revolutionary ideology [1]. They argue that these actions are intended to defend the strategic power, and long-standing security interests, of the Iranian state in the region [1, 2].
Regional states, including Oman, share the border of this waterway and are impacted by the shift in Iranian policy [1, 2]. The tension highlights a growing divide between those who view the strait as a strictly international waterway and those who believe Iran has the right to regulate its vicinity for national security [1].
“Tehran is trying to impose its sovereignty by force on the international passage.”
The shift toward charging fees for digital infrastructure and targeting shipping indicates Iran is moving from sporadic disruptions to a more formalized system of regional control. By treating the Strait of Hormuz as sovereign territory rather than an international passage, Tehran is challenging the legal frameworks of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, potentially forcing global shipping and tech companies to negotiate directly with the Iranian government.
