Iran’s Legal Rights and Obligations Regarding the British Navy

There is some talk as to whether the Iranians are mistaken or outright lying concerning the location of the British sailors whom they kidnapped in Iraqi waters.

This discussion misses a more important point, which is that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Iranians may legally do no more than require the British ship to leave.

Instead, in the best case scenario, the Iranians ambushed and stole a British ship and kidnapped the sailors.

Part II, Section C, Article 30

Non-compliance by warships with the laws and regulations of the coastal State

If any warship does not comply with the laws and regulations of the coastal State concerning passage through the territorial sea and disregards any request for compliance therewith which is made to it, the coastal State may require it to leave the territorial sea immediately.

This is piracy, plain and simple. Thomas Jefferson defeated piracy in the 1700’s by sending the U.S. Marine Corps to Tripoli. In 2007, the destination may be Tehran.