IMO Rejects Iranian Sovereignty Claims Over Strait of Hormuz

The governing council of the International Maritime Organization agreed Friday that member states should reject attempts by Iran to impose sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The council strongly condemned the unilateral establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an Iranian body that requires vessels to obtain permits to navigate the waterway.

This diplomatic clash follows a week of hostilities between the United States and Iran, during which the U.S. military launched airstrikes in response to Iranian attacks on ships. The IMO asserts that Iran's claims violate the sovereignty of other states and interfere with international navigation.

Iran's delegation rejected these allegations, describing them as politically motivated. Iranian officials maintain that their measures are designed to safeguard security and sovereignty, arguing that Iran is not bound by the UNCLOS international maritime convention.