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Iranian Vessels Harass U.S. Destroyer, Forces It To Change Course

I think the lesson here is a very simple one so long as us navel forces remain in the persian gulf then iran will continue to robustly remind them of its presence and its capabilities to act against those forces and also in the event that its required the ability to seal off the straits of hormuz if necessary,its really just a scaled down version of the sorts of games the nato and soviet/russian navies used to and still do play with each other.This is very simply about national interest and regional shows of power and frankly compared to those the upholding of international maritime law takes a very,very distant second place and that is true no matter whether you`re the us or iran,but hey If the us doesnt like it then it can go and complain to the relevant legal authorities and see how far it gets:omghaha:
 
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Yes sure, hostile, since the US is constantly shooting up Iran and has been for the past decades. As for spying, if you broadcast your encrypted or unencrypted communications beyond you territory, it can be picked up by anybody. And it is not that Iran has done absolutely nothing of the sort. So, big blah blah on you.
It is not a complex issue buddy... In the encyclopedia of rules you posted there is a point where a nation that is a part of a strait can exercise its rights where the passing ship belongs to a flag that is considered hostile (by Iran) to their national security and also do spying regularly... Is it something hard to understand?

It doesn't matter if it is encrypted or open air communications... They can have close-distance espionage and they do so... This is spying and Iran can consider them a threat and push them back or even arrest them if needed..

The fact that Iran does the same is true but we are talking about a distant nation coming to our borders doing espionage... we are not talking about a strait in US... It is Iran's.... So, now that you hide yourself behind international rules, then take it internationally and accept that Iran has all the rights to consider US navy ships as both hostile and spying ships and therefore treat them the way Iran currently does...

So, stop this non sense...
 
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This is Iran's official position? Because I can't be bothered with personal opions in this matter
Yes, it's official position and has been announced publicly, about U.S and some europian countries like U.K and France.


First you said: " They are endangering the security and life by insisting to bring their nuclear powered vessels into closed waters of Persian gulf
I said vessels, which is a global term.

there have been many cases in which these vessels have collided with other ships, and could have led to a disaster.'"

THAT CAN REFER ONLY TO CVN'S AND SS(B)N'S, as there are no other nuclear powered vessels in the USN. SSBNs you can safely rule out: they will not be risked in confined waters. So, that leaves CVNs and SSNs. We were discussing CVNs. You gave an example of SSN.

Also you spoke of OTHER SHIPS, your example only involved other USN ship. Since the damage was minor and did not affect the reactor, this is not endangering the security and life of any other than the sailors aboard these ships.

I added one more sub example, involving a merchant ship. Same remarks apply: minor damage, reactor not affected.

That's 2 cases in the past 15 years, in one of the most heavily travelled Straits of the world, with permanent USN presence in the Gulf. Where are your MANY CASES that CVNs and SSNs have collided with other ships in the Hormuz Strait?
again nothing about nationality, type or location.
I said other ships cause that's what they collided with.
but even so you knew what I refer to, you are more eager to find a mistake, even a literal one, rather than discussing on the subject.

2 accidents just among american vessels in that location is more than many for those who want to live there. although I didn't mention the nationality or location.
 
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One thing I've always like about Iran is that they've always demonstrated that they have the balls to stand up for what they believe in. We all can learn a lot from this.
 
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It is not a complex issue buddy... In the encyclopedia of rules you posted there is a point where a nation that is a part of a strait can exercise its rights where the passing ship belongs to a flag that is considered hostile (by Iran) to their national security and also do spying regularly... Is it something hard to understand?

It doesn't matter if it is encrypted or open air communications... They can have close-distance espionage and they do so... This is spying and Iran can consider them a threat and push them back or even arrest them if needed..

The fact that Iran does the same is true but we are talking about a distant nation coming to our borders doing espionage... we are not talking about a strait in US... It is Iran's.... So, now that you hide yourself behind international rules, then take it internationally and accept that Iran has all the rights to consider US navy ships as both hostile and spying ships and therefore treat them the way Iran currently does...

So, stop this non sense...
I should stop this alledged "non-sense"? :crazy:

Source https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewD...g_no=XXI-6&chapter=21&Temp=mtdsg3&clang=_en#1

LAW OF THE SEA
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Montego Bay, 10 December 1982

Entry into force: 16 November 1994, in accordance with article 308(1).

Registration :16 November 1994, No. 31363

Status: Signatories : 157. Parties : 168.1
Endnote 1 In accordance with Article 4 of the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 which reads as follows: "After the adoption of this Agreement, any instrument of ratification or formal confirmation of or accession to the Convention shall also represent consent to be bound by this Agreement."

[Hence more parties than signatories. The implication is that UNCLOS does not apply only to states signatories but to both states signatories and states parties. States do not have to be a signatory to be a party. See e.g. the entry for 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ' below, or for Germany in the webpage text]

Note: The Convention was adopted by the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea and opened for signature, together with the Final Act of the Conference, at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on 10 December 1982. The Conference was convened pursuant to resolution 3067 (XXVIII)2 adopted by the General Assembly on 16 November 1973. The Conference held eleven sessions, from 1973 to 1982, as follows:
- First session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 3 to 15 December 1973;
- Second session: Parque Central, Caracas, 20 June to 29 August 1974;
- Third session: United Nations Office at Geneva, 17 March to 9 May 1975;
- Fourth session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 15 March to 7 May 1976;
- Fifth session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 2 August to 17 September 1976;
- Sixth session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 23 May to 15 July 1977;
- Seventh session: United Nations Office at Geneva, 28 March to 19 May 1978;
- Resumed seventh session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 21 August to 15 September 1978;
- Eighth session: United Nations Office at Geneva, 19 March to 27 April 1979;
- Resumed eighth session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 19 July to 24 August 1979;
- Ninth session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 3 March to 4 April 1980;
- Resumed ninth session: United Nations Office at Geneva, 28 July to 29 August 1980;
- Tenth session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 9 March to 24 April 1981;
- Resumed tenth session: United Nations Office at Geneva, 3 to 28 August 1981;
- Eleventh session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 8 March to 30 April 1982;
- Resumed eleventh session: United Nations Headquarters, New York, 22 to 24 September 1982;
- Final Part of the eleventh session: Montego Bay, Jamaica, 6 to 10 December 1982.
The Conference also adopted a Final Act3 with, annexed thereto, nine resolutions and a statement of understanding. The text of the Final Act has been reproduced as document A/CONF.62/121 and Corr. 1 to 8.

Endnote 3: The Final Act was signed, in each instance, on 10 December 1982:
"In the name of the following States:
Algeria, Angola, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Germany (Federal Republic of), Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua, New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saint-Lucia, Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe; ...
[Remarkable! United States does appear in Final Act (even if it didn't sign)]

Participant / Signature / Succession to signature(d) Formal confirmation(c), Accession(a), Succession(d), Ratification

Coastal states in the Persian Gulf and/or along the Strait of Hormuz

Bahrain /10 Dec 1982 /30 May 1985
Iran (Islamic Republic of) / 10 Dec 1982 / -
Iraq /10 Dec 1982 /30 Jul 1985
Kuwait /10 Dec 1982 / 2 May 1986
Oman 1 Jul 1983 / 17 Aug 1989
Qatar / 27 Nov 1984 / 9 Dec 2002
Saudi Arabia / 7 Dec 1984 / 24 Apr 1996
United Arab Emirates / 10 Dec 1982 / -
Yemen / 10 Dec 1982 /21 Jul 1987

Countries with SSN/SSBN and/or CV(N)
China /10 Dec 1982 / 7 Jun 1996
European Union / 7 Dec 1984 / 1 Apr 1998 c < in addition to / over and above individual EU memberstates
France* /10 Dec 1982 /11 Apr 1996

India / 10 Dec 1982 / 29 Jun 1995
Russian Federation / 10 Dec 1982 / 12 Mar 1997
United Kingdom of Great Britain* and Northern Ireland / - / 25 Jul 1997 a

*As a Member of the European Community, states have transferred competence to the Community in respect of certain matters governed by the Convention. A detailed declaration on the nature and extent of the competence to the European Community will be made in due course in accordance with the provisions of Annex IX of the Convention.

Yes, it's official position and has been announced publicly, about U.S and some europian countries like U.K and France.
I'll come back to that shortly.

I said vessels, which is a global term.
You said NUCLEAR vessels. Look it up your original post (as I did).

again nothing about nationality, type or location.
I said other ships cause that's what they collided with.
but even so you knew what I refer to, you are more eager to find a mistake, even a literal one, rather than discussing on the subject
2 accidents just among american vessels in that location is more than many for those who want to live there. although I didn't mention the nationality or location
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So, essentially you can't counter than besides the one instance you found and the one instance I gratiously added (both in the period 2000-2015 in one of the worlds busiest and narrowest straits) there were no collisions between a nuclear vessel and another vessel. I added that one instance after having searched broadly on any collisions involving USN ships in general, and CVN and SS(B)N in particular, and found this to be the only 2 cases in the past 15 years in the Strait of Hormuz, the area we were discussing. Those instances were US SSN versus a US LPD and versus a Japanse merchant respectively. No nuclear spillage or other dangers related to nuclear propulsion happened. Certainly no CVNs involved in these collisions (or any others in this area). DUring the same period, there were 2 more incidents involving US SSN in the Persian Gulf in the same period. In all, that puts your MANY CASES of NUCLEAR VESSELS claim in the proper perspective.

STATEMENTS AND DECLARATIONS
Source: https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewD...g_no=XXI-6&chapter=21&Temp=mtdsg3&clang=_en#2

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Montego Bay, 10 December 1982
Declarations and Reservations

(Unless otherwise indicated, the declarations and reservations were made upon ratification, formal confirmation, accession or succession.)

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Upon signature (10 December 1982):
Interpretative declaration on the subject of straits

"In accordance with article 310 of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran seizes the opportunity at this solemn moment of signing the Convention, to place on the records its "understanding" in relation to certain provisions of the Convention. The main objective for submitting these declarations is the avoidance of eventual future interpretation of the following articles in a manner incompatible with the original intention and previous positions or in disharmony with national laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is, . . . , the understanding of the Islamic Republic of Iran that:

1) Notwithstanding the intended character of the Convention being one of general application and of law making nature, certain of its provisions are merely product of quid pro quo which do not necessarily purport to codify the existing customs or established usage (practice) regarded as having an obligatory character. Therefore, it seems natural and in harmony with article 34 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, that only states parties to the Law of the Sea Convention shall be entitled to benefit from the contractual rights created therein.
[that would include e.g. United Kingdom]

The above considerations pertain specifically (but not exclusively) to the following:

-- The right of Transit passage through straits used for international navigation (Part III, Section 2, article 38).

-- The notion of "Exclusive Economic Zone" (Part V). - All matters regarding the International Seabed Area and the Concept of "Common Heritage of mankind" (Part XI).

2) In the light of customary international law, the provisions of article 21, read in association with article 19 (on the Meaning of Innocent Passage) and article 25 (on the Rights of Protection of the Coastal States), recognize (though implicitly) the rights of the Coastal States to take measures to safeguard their security interests including the adoption of laws and regulations regarding, inter alia , the requirements of prior authorization for warships willing to exercise the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.

3) The right referred to in article 125 regarding access to and from the sea and freedom of transit of Land-locked States is one which is derived from mutual agreement of States concerned based on the principle of reciprocity.

4) The provisions of article 70, regarding "Right of States with Special Geographical Characteristics" are without prejudice to the exclusive right of the Coastal States of enclosed and semi-enclosed maritime regions (such as the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman) with large population predominantly dependent upon relatively poor stocks of living resources of the same regions.

5) Islets situated in enclosed and semi-enclosed seas which potentially can sustain human habitation or economic life of their own, but due to climatic conditions, resource restriction or other limitations, have not yet been put to development, fall within the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 121 concerning "Regime of Islands", and have, therefore, full effect in boundary delimitation of various maritime zones of the interested Coastal States.

Furthermore, with regard to "Compulsory Procedures Entailing Binding Decisions" the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while fully endorsing the Concept of settlement of all international disputes by peaceful means, and recognizing the necessity and desirability of settling, in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and cooperation, issues relating to the interpretation and application of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, at this time will not pronounce on the choice of procedures pursuant to articles 287 and 298 and reserves its positions to be declared in due time."


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Upon accession (25 July 1997):


(a) General

The United Kingdom cannot accept any declaration or statement made or to be made in the future which is not in conformity with articles 309 and 310 of the Convention. Article 309 of the Convention prohibits reservations and exceptions (except those expressly permitted by other articles of the Convention). Under article 310 declarations and statements made by a State cannot exclude or modify the legal effect of the provisions of the Convention in their application to the State concerned.


The United Kingdom considers that declarations and statements not in conformity with articles 309 and 310 include, inter alia, the following:


  • - those which relate to baselines not drawn in conformity with the Convention;

    - those which purport to require any form of notification or permission before warships or other ships exercise the right of innocent passage or freedom of navigation or which otherwise purport to limit navigational rights in ways not permitted by the Convention;

    - those which are incompatible with the provisions of the Convention relating to straits used for international navigation, including the right of transit passage;


    - those which are incompatible with the provisions of the Convention relating to archipelagic states or waters, including archipelagic baselines and archipelagic sea lanes passage;


    - those which are not in conformity with the provisions of the Convention relating to the exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf, including those which claim coastal state jurisdiction over all installations and structures in the exclusive economic zone or on the continental shelf, and those which purport to require consent for exercises or manoeuvres (including weapons exercises) in those areas;
    - those which purport to subordinate the interpretation or application of the Convention to national laws and regulations, including constitutional provisions.
(b) European Community
The United Kingdom recalls that, as a Member of the European Community, it has transferred competence to the Community in respect of certain matters governed by the Convention. A detailed declaration on the nature and extent of the competence to the European Community will be made in due course in accordance with the provisions of Annex IX of the Convention.


(c) The Falkland Islands

With regard to paragraph (d) of the Declaration made upon ratification of the Convention by the Government of the Argentine Republic, the Government of the United Kingdom has no doubt about the sovereignty of the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands and over South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The Government of the United Kingdom, as the administering authority of both Territories, has extended the United Kingdom's accession to the Convention and ratification of the Agreement to the Falkland Islands and to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The Government of the United Kingdom, therefore, rejects as unfounded paragraph (d) of the Argentine declaration.

(d) Gibraltar
With regard to point 2 of the declaration made upon ratification of the Convention by the Government of Spain, the Government of the United Kingdom has no doubt about the sovereignty of the United Kingdom over Gibraltar, including its territorial waters. The Government of the United Kingdom, as the administering authority of Gibraltar, has extended the United Kingdom's accession to the Convention and ratification of the Agreement to Gibraltar. The Government of the United Kingdom, therefore, rejects as unfounded point 2 of the Spanish declaration.

(e) Extent
These instruments of accession and of ratification extend to:
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The Bailiwick of Jersey
The Bailiwick of Guernsey
The Isle of Man
Anguilla
Bermuda
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Montserrat
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands
St. Helena and Dependencies
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
Declaration made after accession

12 January 1998

Declaration on the choice of procedure under article 287

In accordance with Article 287, paragraph 1, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland chooses the International Court of Justice for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention.

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is a new institution, which the United Kingdom hopes will make an important contribution to the peaceful settlement of disputes concerning the law of the sea. In addition to those cases where the Convention itself provides for the compulsory jurisdiction of the Tribunal, the United Kingdom remains ready to consider the submission of disputes to the Tribunal as may be agreed on a case-by-case basis.

7 April 2003
Declaration pursuant to article 298, paragraph 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea:


".....the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland does not accept any of the procedures provided for in section 2 of Part XV of the Convention with respect to the categories of disputes referred to in paragraph 1(b) and (c) of article 298."

BOTH THESE STATES PARTIES ADDED A STATEMENT UPON SIGNING
NEITHER FILED OBJECTIONS.

See: Objections (Unless otherwise indicated, the objections were received upon ratification, formal confirmation, accession or succession.)

So, what would be the legal position of Iran and UK be if a UK SSN or its new QE aircraft carrier passed through the Strait of Hormuz?

ABOUT THE LEGAL STATUS OF DECLARATIONS AND STATEMENTS
SOURCE: http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/convention_declarations.htm


Introduction:


Article 310 of the Convention allows States and entities to make declarations or statements regarding its application at the time of signing, ratifying or acceding to the Convention, which do not purport to exclude or modify the legal effect of the provisions of the Convention.

Article 310 reads:

  • "Article 310. Declarations and statements "Article 309 does not preclude a State, when signing, ratifying or acceding to this Convention, from making declarations or statements, however phrased or named, with a view, inter alia, to the harmonization of its laws and regulations with the provisions of this Convention, provided that such declarations or statements do not purport to exclude or to modify the legal effect of the provisions of this Convention in their application to that State."
Article 287, paragraph 1, provides that States and entities, when signing, ratifying or acceding to the Convention, or at any time thereafter, may make declarations specifying the forums for the settlement of disputes which they accept.

Article 287, paragraph 1, reads:

  • "Article 287. Choice of procedure "When signing, ratifying or acceding to this Convention or at any time thereafter, a State shall be free to choose, by means of a written declaration, one or more of the following means for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention:

    • (a) the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea established in accordance with Annex VI;
      (b) the International Court of Justice;
      (c) an arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with Annex VII;
      (d) a special arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with Annex VIII for one or more of the categories of disputes specified therein."
In addition, article 298, paragraph 1, allows States and entities to declare that they exclude the application of the compulsory binding procedures for the settlement of disputes under the Convention in respect of certain specified categories kinds of disputes. Article 298, paragraph 1, reads:


  • "Article 298. Optional exceptions to applicability of section 2


    • "1. When signing, ratifying or acceding to this Convention or at any time thereafter, a State may, without prejudice to the obligations arising under section 1, declare in writing that it does not accept any one or more of the procedures provided for in section 2 with respect to one or more of the following categories of disputes:


      • (a)


        • (i) disputes concerning the interpretation or application of articles 15, 74 and 83 relating to sea boundary delimitations, or those involving historic bays or titles, provided that a State having made such a declaration shall, when such a dispute arises subsequent to the entry into force of this Convention and where no agreement within a reasonable period of time is reached in negotiations between the parties, at the request of any party to the dispute, accept submission of the matter to conciliation under Annex V, section 2; and provided further that any dispute that necessarily involves the concurrent consideration of any unsettled dispute concerning sovereignty or other rights over continental or insular land territory shall be excluded form such submission;
          (ii) after the conciliation commission has presented its report, which shall state the reasons on which it is based, the parties shall negotiate an agreement on the basis of that report; if these negotiations do not result in an agreement, the parties shall, by mutual consent, submit the question to one of the procedures provided for in section 2, unless the parties otherwise agree;
          (iii) this subparagraph does not apply to any sea boundary dispute finally settled by an arrangement between the parties, or to any such dispute which is to be settled in accordance with a bilateral or multilateral agreement binding upon those parties;
        (b) disputes concerning military activities, including military activities by government vessels and aircraft engaged in non-commercial service, and disputes concerning law enforcement activities in regard to the exercise of sovereign rights or jurisdiction excluded from the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal under article 297, paragraph 2 or 3;
        (c) disputes in respect of which the Security Council of the United Nations is exercising the functions assigned to it by the Charter of the United Nations, unless the Security Council decides to remove the matter from its agenda or calls upon the parties to settle it by the means provided for in this
        Convention."
PLEASE NOTE: Declarations and statements with respect to the Convention and to the Agreement on Part XI made before 31 December 1996 - upon signature, ratification or accession - have been analyzed and published in "The Law of the Sea: Declarations and statements with respect to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea", (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.97.V.3).

I think that pretty much puts the legal status of Iran's statement vis a vis that of the UK in proper perspective.
 
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Lateral move. Since we were discussing Unclos, how does unclos define pirates?
actually your move is lateral. A thief is a thief, stealing in the land or ground doesn't matter, their existance is against everybody security.

As indicated, shipping channels in the Strait of Hormuz are outside the internationally agreed upon Iranian maritime political boundaries.
Strait_of_hormuz_full.jpg
only if would accept the 1982 convention. which we didn't.

Lateral move, copied of post by previous poster. We were discussing US and Iranian naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz in a specific instance.
no, we are discussing the Iranian right to close the strait on U,S forces.

Try to be specific: instances, when, how, doicumentation etc
Iran has no right to block anything beyond its own territory.



No, not at all. But when you accuse you need to back up your accusation with evidence. Or at least that it the generally accepted procedure among civilized peoples.
for example when we captured American soldiers, their f18s took off from their carrier and violated our airspace, and they didn't care about the warning messages till they noticed radar lock on their planes, it was just 30 second away to turn into a wide scale war.
 
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Statement of France
[Original: French]


Upon signature (10 December 1982):

1. The provisions of the Convention relating to the status of the different maritime spaces and to the legal régime of the uses and protection of the marine environment confirm and consolidate the general rules of the law of the sea and thus entitle the French Republic not to recognize as enforceable against it any foreign laws or regulations that are not in conformity with those general rules.

2. The provisions of the Convention relating to the area of the sea-bed and ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction show considerable deficiencies and flaws with respect to the exploration and exploitation of the said area which will require rectification through the adoption by the Preparatory Commission of draft rules, regulations and procedures to ensure the establishment and effective functioning of the International Sea-Bed Authority.

To this end, all efforts must be made within the Preparatory Commission to reach general agreement on any matter of sub- stance, in accordance with the procedure set out in rule 37 of the rules of procedure of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.

3. With reference to article 140, the signing of the Convention by France shall not be interpreted as implying any change in its position in respect of resolution 1514 (XV).

4. The provisions of article 230, paragraph 2, of the Convention shall not preclude interim or preventive measures against the parties responsible for the operation of foreign vessels, such as immobilization of the vessel. They shall also not preclude the imposition of penalties other than monetary penalties for any willful and serious act which causes pollution.

Upon ratification (11 April 1996):

1. France recalls that, as a State member of the European Community, it has transferred competence to the Community in certain matters covered under the Convention. A detailed statement of the nature and scope of the areas of competence transferred to the European Community will be made in due course in accordance with the provisions of Annex IX of the Convention.


2. France rejects declarations or reservations that are contrary to the provisions of the Convention. France also rejects unilateral measures or measures resulting from an agreement between States which would have effects contrary to the provisions of the Convention.


3. With reference to the provisions of article 298, paragraph 1, France does not accept any of the procedures provided for in Part XV, section 2, with respect to the following disputes:


  • - Disputes concerning the interpretation or application of articles 15, 74 and 83 relating to sea boundary delimitations, or those involving historic bays or titles;

    - Disputes concerning military activities, including military activities by government vessels and aircraft engaged in non-commercial service, and disputes concerning law enforcement activities in regard to the exercise of sovereign rights or jurisdiction excluded from the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal under article 297, paragraph 2 or 3;

    - Disputes in respect of which the Security Council of the United Nations is exercising the functions assigned to it by the Charter of the United Nations, unless the Security Council decides to remove the matter from its agenda or calls upon the parties to settle it by the means provided for in the Convention.
France operates CVN, SSN and SSBN. It routinely sends its CVN into the Persian Gulf, in some cases with British escort. There are no incidents/accidents involving French SSNs in the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf in the period 2000-2015

Daesh. Mission End of Charles de Gaulle in the Gulf
on February 24, 2016
After two months of engagement against Daesh, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle left the Persian Gulf, announced Tuesday the Ministry of Defence. The Charles de Gaulle sailed to the Mediterranean.
During his nine weeks of presence in the Gulf, the carrier battle group and its crews have conducted 370 operational sorties as part of operation Chammal fight against Daesh. The carrier battle group, which was constituted in particular, around the Charles de Gaulle [and] frigate multi-mission (FREMM) of the Navy, which had sailed from Brest on December 17 , Monday crossed the Strait of Hormuz and bound for the Mediterranean.
http://archyworldys.com/daesh-mission-end-of-charles-de-gaulle-in-the-gulf/

FEBRUARY 2015: Iran's Revolutionary Guards began naval exercises Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, just a few hundred kilometres away from western vessels engaged in the fight against the Islamic State group. The exercises began two days after French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle launched operations in the Gulf as part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group (IS) in Iraq and Syria.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/fr/afp/2015/02/iran-military-defence.html#ixzz4J0258PoJ
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/fr/afp/2015/02/iran-military-defence.html#ixzz4J0258PoJ
HMS Cumberland has continued her operations over the Christmas and New Year period in support of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle by escorting her through the Strait of Hormuz early Boxing Day morning (26 December 2010). While most people in Britain were sleeping off the Christmas Day excess, HMS Cumberland led the French carrier group through the vital Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hms-cumberland-continues-to-support-carrier-charles-de-gaulle
 
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Statement of France
[Original: French]


Upon signature (10 December 1982):

1. The provisions of the Convention relating to the status of the different maritime spaces and to the legal régime of the uses and protection of the marine environment confirm and consolidate the general rules of the law of the sea and thus entitle the French Republic not to recognize as enforceable against it any foreign laws or regulations that are not in conformity with those general rules.

2. The provisions of the Convention relating to the area of the sea-bed and ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction show considerable deficiencies and flaws with respect to the exploration and exploitation of the said area which will require rectification through the adoption by the Preparatory Commission of draft rules, regulations and procedures to ensure the establishment and effective functioning of the International Sea-Bed Authority.

To this end, all efforts must be made within the Preparatory Commission to reach general agreement on any matter of sub- stance, in accordance with the procedure set out in rule 37 of the rules of procedure of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.

3. With reference to article 140, the signing of the Convention by France shall not be interpreted as implying any change in its position in respect of resolution 1514 (XV).

4. The provisions of article 230, paragraph 2, of the Convention shall not preclude interim or preventive measures against the parties responsible for the operation of foreign vessels, such as immobilization of the vessel. They shall also not preclude the imposition of penalties other than monetary penalties for any willful and serious act which causes pollution.

Upon ratification (11 April 1996):

1. France recalls that, as a State member of the European Community, it has transferred competence to the Community in certain matters covered under the Convention. A detailed statement of the nature and scope of the areas of competence transferred to the European Community will be made in due course in accordance with the provisions of Annex IX of the Convention.


2. France rejects declarations or reservations that are contrary to the provisions of the Convention. France also rejects unilateral measures or measures resulting from an agreement between States which would have effects contrary to the provisions of the Convention.


3. With reference to the provisions of article 298, paragraph 1, France does not accept any of the procedures provided for in Part XV, section 2, with respect to the following disputes:


  • - Disputes concerning the interpretation or application of articles 15, 74 and 83 relating to sea boundary delimitations, or those involving historic bays or titles;

    - Disputes concerning military activities, including military activities by government vessels and aircraft engaged in non-commercial service, and disputes concerning law enforcement activities in regard to the exercise of sovereign rights or jurisdiction excluded from the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal under article 297, paragraph 2 or 3;

    - Disputes in respect of which the Security Council of the United Nations is exercising the functions assigned to it by the Charter of the United Nations, unless the Security Council decides to remove the matter from its agenda or calls upon the parties to settle it by the means provided for in the Convention.
France operates CVN, SSN and SSBN. It routinely sends its CVN into the Persian Gulf, in some cases with British escort. There are no incidents/accidents involving French SSNs in the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf in the period 2000-2015

Daesh. Mission End of Charles de Gaulle in the Gulf
on February 24, 2016
After two months of engagement against Daesh, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle left the Persian Gulf, announced Tuesday the Ministry of Defence. The Charles de Gaulle sailed to the Mediterranean.During his nine weeks of presence in the Gulf, the carrier battle group and its crews have conducted 370 operational sorties as part of operation Chammal fight against Daesh. The carrier battle group, which was constituted in particular, around the Charles de Gaulle [and] frigate multi-mission (FREMM) of the Navy, which had sailed from Brest on December 17 , Monday crossed the Strait of Hormuz and bound for the Mediterranean.
http://archyworldys.com/daesh-mission-end-of-charles-de-gaulle-in-the-gulf/

FEBRUARY 2015: Iran's Revolutionary Guards began naval exercises Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, just a few hundred kilometres away from western vessels engaged in the fight against the Islamic State group. The exercises began two days after French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle launched operations in the Gulf as part of the international coalition fighting the Islamic State group (IS) in Iraq and Syria.
Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/fr/afp/2015/02/iran-military-defence.html#ixzz4J0258PoJ
HMS Cumberland has continued her operations over the Christmas and New Year period in support of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle by escorting her through the Strait of Hormuz early Boxing Day morning (26 December 2010). While most people in Britain were sleeping off the Christmas Day excess, HMS Cumberland led the French carrier group through the vital Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hms-cumberland-continues-to-support-carrier-charles-de-gaulle
Buddy ,I literally dont know whether to be amazed or appalled about the amount of effort you have expended on trying to prove what is in essence a bullsh!t argument,you obviously have a great deal of spare time on your hands.For iran like most countries national interest trumps international law,as far as iran is concerned it controls the straits of hormuz and it certainly has the firepower to back this belief up,so long as us forces continue to operate in the persian gulf then iran will confront them and international laws and treaties be damned,did the us respect international laws and treaties when it violated irans territorial waters and shot down that airliner?.If the us objects to irans behavior then it can try its luck with the relevant international authorities,but then its not like the us doesnt pull the exact same sh!t
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-...mes-dangerously-close-russian-patrol-boat-med
 
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only if would accept the 1982 convention. which we didn't.
Iran is a signatory state and, afaik, thereby one of the states parties. See above
Check also http://www.un.org/Depts/los/reference_files/status2010.pdf

no, we are discussing the Iranian right to close the strait on US forces.
That's what you are attempting to discuss. The topic of the thread is:
Iranian Vessels Harass U.S. Destroyer, Forces It To Change Course

Reminder: Iran doesn't 'own' the entire strait. It can at best only close its part of the strait, which - from what I found in terms of maps - I think would exclude the shipping channels. Or would Iran accept a similar action on the part of e.g. Oman or UAE up to its territorial water or even coastline?

No international law give a state the right to close a strait. Unless you are at war, in which case I suggect the State in question declare hostitilies.

for example when we captured American soldiers, their f18s took off from their carrier and violated our airspace, and they didn't care about the warning messages till they noticed radar lock on their planes, it was just 30 second away to turn into a wide scale war.
Doesnt adres what I said (in which I ackowledged the right of self defence of ones territory, incidentally)
 
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@Penguin as far as I'm aware its right that UAE share part of strait of hormoz but the shipping lane won't pass through their territory.
Oman if want can close strait of hormoz in part near Oman Sea in its territorial water and Iran if want can close strait of Hormuz in part near Persian gulf in its territorial water. If they see it necessary for their security in case of emergencies like war or probably trolling another country.

By the way my understanding is all these territories on the right of passage in seas is about innocent passages and when it come to military ships specially in cases of countries like Iran and USA which are at least in some sort of cold war is very hard to prove and very easy to claim otherwise.
 
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Buddy ,I literally dont know whether to be amazed or appalled about the amount of effort you have expended on trying to prove what is in essence a bullsh!t argument,you obviously have a great deal of spare time on your hands.For iran like most countries national interest trumps international law,as far as iran is concerned it controls the straits of hormuz and it certainly has the firepower to back this belief up,so long as us forces continue to operate in the persian gulf then iran will confront them and international laws and treaties be damned,did the us respect international laws and treaties when it violated irans territorial waters and shot down that airliner?.If the us objects to irans behavior then it can try its luck with the relevant international authorities,but then its not like the us doesnt pull the exact same sh!t
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-...mes-dangerously-close-russian-patrol-boat-med
Oh, I see, you're of the might makes right variety. Thanks for your generous contribution. If you have any objections to my post, feel free to use the report button or to add me to your ignore list.

You have a nice day now.:wave:

@Penguin as far as I'm aware its right that UAE share part of strait of hormoz but the shipping lane won't pass through their territory.
Oman if want can close strait of hormoz in part near Oman Sea in its territorial water and Iran if want can close strait of Hormuz in part near Persian gulf in its territorial water. If they see it necessary for their security in case of emergencies like war or probably trolling another country.

By the way my understanding is all these territories on the right of passage in seas is about innocent passages and when it come to military ships specially in cases of countries like Iran and USA which are at least in some sort of cold war is very hard to prove and very easy to claim otherwise.
If you want the rules of war to apply, you have to declare such. If you don't then peacetime rules apply.
 
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Oh, I see, you're of the might makes right variety. Thanks for your generous contribution. If you have any objections to my post, feel free to use the report button or to add me to your ignore list.

You have a nice day now.:wave:

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I think you`ll find that if you look at recent history and especially the recent history of the middle east the operating paradigm has been "might makes right" to pretend that this isnt so is more than naive its foolish,now as for your post I have no objection at all I`m more just amused that you would seriously expect iran or indeed any other country to put international law and a convention that it hasnt ratified over its perceived national interest and regional power politics,you can argue legalisms all you want but in the end national interest trumps all and thats true no matter whether its iran or the usa.
 
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Iran is a signatory state and, afaik, thereby one of the states parties. See above
Check also http://www.un.org/Depts/los/reference_files/status2010.pdf
no we are not a party, we are a signatory, which means Iranian goverment has agreed to discuss this treaty in the parliament, but didn't do it in the end. simply Iranian government doesn't have the authority to join a treaty. Also prior to signing that treaty we declared our conditions which I mentioned.

That's what you are attempting to discuss. The topic of the thread is:
Iranian Vessels Harass U.S. Destroyer, Forces It To Change Course
it was you who brought up the conventions.


No international law give a state the right to close a strait. Unless you are at war, in which case I suggect the State in question declare hostitilies.
yes, it allows us very well and I posted them already.
 
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Iran’s Hollow Threats to Close the Strait of Hormuz
May 5, 2016
http://www.censoo.com/2016/05/irans-hollow-threats-close-strait-hormuz/

iran_hollow_threats_to_close_the_strait_of_hormuz.png



Strait of Hormuz: Iran’s options
10 February 2012
https://www.iiss.org/en/iiss voices/blogsections/2012-6d11/february-2012-a44c/strait-of-hormuz-iran-options-1704

Could Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz, or significantly hinder traffic passing through it? A recent decision by the European Union to impose a total embargo on the purchase of Iranian oil has prompted threats from Tehran to close the world’s most important oil chokepoint. However, an assessment of military capabilities deployed in the area, and of likely tactics, suggests that Iran would find it difficult or unpalatable to cause major disruption, the latest IISS Strategic Comment finds.

straits-of-hormuz-for-web-950.jpg



Saudi proposes plan to dig Strait of Hormuz bypass
April 9, 2013
Proposed "Arab canal" would put an end to threats to seal off the strategic waterway
3023295901.jpg

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/other/saudi-proposes-plan-to-dig-strait-of-hormuz-bypass-1.1168315

I say, dig.

NGA Chart 62480: Strait of Hormuz to Qatar
http://nav-shop.myshopify.com/products/nga-chart-62480-strait-of-hormuz-to-qatar
nga_chart_62480.jpeg

Publisher National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

BA Chart 3172: Oman and Iran, Strait of Hormuz
http://nav-shop.myshopify.com/products/ba-chart-3172-strait-of-hormuz
3172.jpeg

PublisherUnited Kingdom Hydrographic Office
Navigation
To reduce the risk of collision, ships moving through the Strait follow a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS): inbound ships use one lane, outbound ships another, each lane being two miles wide. The lanes are separated by a two-mile-wide "median".

To traverse the Strait, ships pass through the territorial waters of Iran and Oman under the transit passage provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Although not all countries have ratified the convention, most countries, including the U.S., accept these customary navigation rules as codified in the Convention.

Oman has a radar site Link Quality Indicator (LQI) to monitor the TSS in the Strait of Hormuz. This site is on a small island on the peak of Musandam Peninsula.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Hormuz#Navigation

A state's territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) from its baseline. If this would overlap with another state's territorial sea, the border is taken as the median point between the states' baselines, unless the states in question agree otherwise. A state can also choose to claim a smaller territorial sea.

Conflicts still occur whenever a coastal nation claims an entire gulf as its territorial waters while other nations only recognize the more restrictive definitions of the UN convention.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_waters#Territorial_sea

At its narrowest, the strait of Hormuz has a width of 29 nautical miles (54 km)
Territorial waters are 12nmi. Counting 2 coasts: 2x 12 nmi= 24nmi
On the maps, Hormuz Strait shipping channels appear closer to Oman/UAE than to Iran.
Where exactly are shipping channels in the Strait on Iranian and where on other sovereign territory, and where exactly are international waters? As far as traffic and navigation is concerned, the strait is jointly controlled by Oman and Iran.

ScreenShot524.bmp

http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.nl/2012/01/iranian-naval-assets-in-strait-of.html

iran_hollow_threats_to_close_the_strait_of_hormuz.png

It wouldn't be too hard to hug the UAE coast and stay out of the Western lanes alltogether, seeing as there already is an intens traffic stream to / from Dubai.

Strait_of_hormuz_600.jpg


It would be shallower waters, but still deep enough for oil tankers and very large naval ships. A bit less friendly for big SSNs but still workable, assuming a deal can be struck with Oman and/or UAE.
 
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bg2599_map1600px.ashx

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...-of-Hormuz-IRAN-OMAN-and-the-right-to-transit
http://www.heritage.org/research/re...ary-to-secure-us-navigational-rights-freedoms

For those expounding the Iran doesn't recognize UNCLOS, please take not that the 12nmi territorial zone is the result of UNCLOS. So either Iran does (or does not) recognize UNCLOS and can (or can not) claim no a 12nmi territorial zone.

Legitimate naval action in peacetime is limited to protection of territorial waters i.e. to prevent hostile incursions.

I think you`ll find that if you look at recent history and especially the recent history of the middle east the operating paradigm has been "might makes right" to pretend that this isnt so is more than naive its foolish,now as for your post I have no objection at all I`m more just amused that you would seriously expect iran or indeed any other country to put international law and a convention that it hasnt ratified over its perceived national interest and regional power politics,you can argue legalisms all you want but in the end national interest trumps all and thats true no matter whether its iran or the usa.
You don't seem to realize that all this IS about legalisms. See what diplomatic exchanges consist of.

Close Hormuz, of interferie with commercial shipping (which harrassing US ships will ultimately do) and not just US but EU, China and many many others will come down on Iran. Keep up the threat, and eventually an alternative to the current situation will be found, whether in alternative routing, buiding a canal, or pipelines.

How silly of me to not know about national interest. I must be silly or thick or both.

You have a great day now.
 
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