
Hormuz Crisis Tests International Law and Global Shipping
Iran’s attacks on neutral shipping and potential mining of the Strait of Hormuz threaten a critical global shipping lane. The strait is an international waterway governed by transit passage under UNCLOS, but enforcement is difficult when a coastal state violates the rules. Naval mining would violate customary law and Hague VIII provisions intended to protect neutral transit, and demining would be extremely challenging, especially as the U.S. Navy phases out dedicated minesweepers in favor of untested counter‑mine methods. A multinational escort approach may be needed, though politically and logistically complex. The crisis exposes a gap between strong doctrine protecting transit passage and weak enforcement in practice, underscoring the need for diplomacy and allied cooperation to keep the Strait open.




