The Hormuz Strait Agreement Signals the Beginning of a New Era in the Maritime Domain

The authors argue that any agreement signed in the Strait of Hormuz will alter the balance of power in the control of maritime spaces, and Israel, as an 'island state,' will be harmed. They describe Operation 'Lion's Roar' in February 2026, the blockade of the strait by the Revolutionary Guards, and the negotiations between the US and Iran. They analyze the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and the implications of the agreement for coastal states, including Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, and Libya, which could restrict shipping to Israel.

The article, authored by Dr. Benny Shnayir and Dr. Shaul Chorev, argues that the emerging agreement in the Strait of Hormuz between the United States and Iran marks the beginning of a new era in the global maritime domain. The authors describe Operation 'Lion's Roar,' which began on February 28, 2026, led by the US with Israel's participation, aimed at preventing the development of Iranian nuclear capabilities. In response, the Revolutionary Guards blocked and mined the strait and threatened to harm ships. Since then, the US has been waging a struggle to open the strait to free navigation against Iran's insistence on restricting it. The authors analyze the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, which balanced the rights of coastal states with global freedom of navigation, and argue that the agreement with Iran dismantles this balance and returns the maritime domain to its pre-1982 state. They warn that coastal states such as Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, and Libya could exploit the change to restrict shipping to Israel, which is an 'island state' dependent on maritime trade. The article calls for preparation for increased tension and struggles over freedom of navigation on the way to Israel.