The 'closure' of the strait of Hormuz: An analysis from International Law

Abstract

In recent years, the Islamic Republic of Iran is threatening a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a coastal State. Concern about the negative effects that could lead the closure, especially from the economic point of view, given that is the strait with greater traffic of oil in the world, leads us to analyze whether the closure would be legitimate. We wonder if from the point of view of International Law Iran has the right to close the Strait of Hormuz or, where appropriate, to impose passage rates. An analysis that focuses mainly on the rules of the Law of Sea concerning the international straits, not to mention some aspects of international responsibility, as is the score on the possible closure as a countermeasure against the sanctions imposed by the United States of America and some States of the European Union.