US Seeks G7 Support for Maritime Security in the Strait of Hormuz Amid Iranian Threats

The news

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday appealed to G7 nations to help protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian drone and missile attacks, but admitted he received no positive response from his counterparts in Paris. Rubio raised the issue during a two-day meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Paris, which also covered the West Asia conflict and the Ukraine war. He said the US would continue to take steps to ensure the safety of vessels passing through the strategically vital waterway, which carries about 20-30% of the world's oil.

France and other US allies have said that before they can provide de-mining ships and other assistance to secure the strait, the fighting must stop. Rubio described this as a difficult dilemma, noting that some countries say they are ready to provide forces for ship protection only when there is no longer a risk of conflict. He argued that protecting ships is in the interest of the entire world, as the US does not receive any oil from that region, and urged the countries to step forward.

What is the legal status of the Strait of Hormuz?

The Strait of Hormuz is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which came into force in 1994. Under UNCLOS, the strait is considered a strait used for international navigation, where all ships and aircraft enjoy the right of transit passage, which cannot be suspended. Iran's territorial sea extends into the strait, but the transit passage regime means Iran cannot legally block or hamper the movement of foreign vessels during peacetime. The International Court of Justice affirmed the right of innocent passage in peacetime through straits used for international navigation in the 1949 Corfu Channel case between the United Kingdom and Albania.

Why are G7 allies reluctant to act?

France and other US allies have conditioned their naval support on a prior cessation of hostilities in the region. They argue that deploying de-mining ships and other military assets while attacks are ongoing risks escalating the conflict. Rubio acknowledged this as a 'difficult dilemma', but insisted that the US views the protection of global navigation as an immediate necessity, not something to wait for a ceasefire.

What is at stake for global energy and India?

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil chokepoint, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. About 20% of global oil passes through it. Continued attacks on shipping could lead to higher insurance costs, oil price volatility, and disruption of energy supply chains. This directly impacts India, which imports a significant portion of its energy from the Gulf region. The deadlock among G7 nations risks prolonging these threats.