Iran’s control of Strait of Hormuz raises legal issues; reopening unlikely in International Shipping News 25/05/2026 Iran’s tightening grip on the Strait of Hormuz has left global energy markets and shipping in turmoil, with The Financial Times reporting that a full reopening of the waterway in 2026 is unlikely. Instead, countries such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea may be forced into bilateral deals with Tehran to secure passage, while legal and political disputes over Iran’s maritime claims deepen. Energy and shipping disruption According to The Financial Times, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed by more than 90% from pre-conflict levels, as insurers withdraw coverage and war-risk premiums soar. The chokepoint, which normally carries about 20% of global oil and LNG flows, has become nearly inaccessible to Western-flagged vessels. Moody’s has warned that Asian importers will likely negotiate bilateral transit corridors with Iran, possibly through routes near Larak Island or via Omani waters, but a return to pre-war traffic volumes this year is improbable. The BBC has highlighted the human cost of the blockade, noting that thousands of crew members remain stranded as shipping companies reroute vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. These detours add up to two weeks of extra travel time and nearly 40% more fuel consumption, sharply raising costs for global trade. Legal scrutiny of Iran’s claims The Week examined Iran’s justification for controlling Hormuz, pointing out contradictions in its selective use of international law. While Iran signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), it never ratified it, allowing Tehran to deny obligations on transit passage while still claiming economic benefits such as exclusive rights over natural resources. Legal experts argue that Iran’s unilateral interception of ships violates customary international law, which guarantees non-suspendable transit through international