Iran Cannot Close Hormuz Strait: Al Sayadi

Iran cannot close Hormuz Strait: Al Sayadi

Abdul Latif Al Sayadi, a researcher at the National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, stated that Iran cannot close the Hormuz Strait from the perspective of international law, as this will violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, which ensures the right of transit for all countries, even within the territorial waters of other countries.

ABU DHABI, (Pakistan Point News - 02nd Aug, 2018) Abdul Latif Al Sayadi, a researcher at the National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, stated that Iran cannot close the Hormuz Strait from the perspective of international law, as this will violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, which ensures the right of transit for all countries, even within the territorial waters of other countries.

This closure will also be an attack on the sovereignty of several countries, whose maritime borders fall within their area, he added.

Al Sayadi made this statement during a lecture that was held yesterday by the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, ECSSR, titled, "Iran’s Threats to Close the Hormuz Strait from an International Law Perspective," which was attended by Dr. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi, ECSSR Director-General, and several officials and science, media and academic figures.

At the start of the lecture, Al Sayadi, who is also a lecturer, highlighted the importance of the Hormuz Strait and noted that Iran cannot close it because its ports are located inside the basin of the Arabian Gulf and not outside. Therefore, taking this step will harm the country and could destroy the Iranian regime, he further added.

Al Sayadi stressed that Iran might lay mines around the strait and send submarines, suicide boats, ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles. However, all these scenarios will lead to losses for Iran, because it cannot face international powers, and other alternatives for exporting oil are available even if it closes the strait, such as a proposal to dig a tunnel through the UAE that will link Fujairah to Dubai without crossing the strait, he said in conclusion.