Hormuz Clash Tests Naval Law: US Blockade vs Iran's Attacks on Neutral Shipping
Conflicting reports in the Strait of Hormuz show the US pursuing a distant blockade of Iranian ports (not the strait itself) and firing on an Iranian-flagged vessel; supporters say this aligns with naval warfare rules if the blockade is declared, impartial, effective and allows humanitarian traffic. Iran has attacked neutral merchant ships in the strait, which experts say is not lawful under international law unless they become military objectives. The situation appears to be a strategic leverage move ahead of possible US-Iran talks.