Iran’s Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and Its Implications for International Law and Global Trade

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:31:00 +0200

More than two months into the conflict in Iran, the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains a dangerous zone for international shipping, a vital route for over a third of global oil and gas trade. Following military actions by the United States and Israel, Iran began blocking the strait on February 28, demanding tolls of up to $2 million per vessel. In response, the U.S. enforced a maritime blockade and threatened sanctions against any entity paying these tolls. Historical context shows that using geographic choke points to exert leverage is not new; Denmark historically charged the Sound Dues on ships passing the Øresund Strait, a practice eventually ended through diplomacy backed by the United States. Modern international law, reinforced by the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, prohibits such tolls, yet Iran’s actions directly violate these norms. Simultaneously, U.S. and Israeli military campaigns challenge international rules on the use of force, highlighting a broader weakening of