The legal justification for the United States' blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is facing renewed scrutiny as diplomatic tensions over the critical waterway escalate.
While the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea mandates unimpeded passage, experts argue the US position may hold legal ground provided it respects territorial boundaries and international law principles.
This debate coincides with Iran's continued defense of its right to impose transit fees, a stance that has drawn sharp rebuke from Washington.
The dispute centers on conflicting interpretations of maritime rights.
The US maintains that its military presence and blockade measures are lawful responses to regional threats, even as they disrupt commercial shipping lanes.
Conversely, Iran insists that charging fees for passage is a legitimate exercise of sovereignty, despite widespread international opposition.