The Strait of Hormuz falls under the legal regime of transit passage as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees the right of continuous and expeditious transit for all ships and aircraft, including warships. Iran has NO legal right to "close" the Strait, or to declare that they control the entire waterway.
In fact, as shown on this map, both Oman and Iran share a boundary at the center of the strait, 12-miles out from both shores. Oman owns the Western 1/2 of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran owns the Eastern 1/2. The strait is deepest near the Musandam Peninsula (over 650 feet), allowing large tankers to pass, and becomes shallower towards the Iranian coast.
Outbound ships that Iran is attacking are on the West side of the Strait, in Omani waters. By declaring that they control the strait and attacking outgoing ships, Iran is violating international law.
As of May 4, 2026, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new map claiming control over a zone extending from Iran's Qeshm Island to the UAE’s Umm Al Quwain in the west, and from Mount Mobarak to Fujairah in the east.
The Strait of Hormuz falls under the legal regime of transit passage as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which guarantees the right of continuous and expeditious transit for all ships and aircraft, including warships. Iran has NO legal right to "close" the Strait, or to declare that they control the entire waterway.
In fact, as shown on this map, both Oman and Iran share a boundary at the center of the strait, 12-miles out from both shores. Oman owns the Western 1/2 of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran owns the Eastern 1/2. The strait is deepest near the Musandam Peninsula (over 650 feet), allowing large tankers to pass, and becomes shallower towards the Iranian coast.
Outbound ships that Iran is attacking are on the West side of the Strait, in Omani waters. By declaring that they control the strait and attacking outgoing ships, Iran is violating international law.
MAP
As of May 4, 2026, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled a new map claiming control over a zone extending from Iran's Qeshm Island to the UAE’s Umm Al Quwain in the west, and from Mount Mobarak to Fujairah in the east.
Iran's NEW MAP as of today 5-04-2026