The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran presents a serious challenge to international maritime order. According to a recent Lawfare analysis, the key legal issue is how states can respond without undermining the very norms they seek to protect. The article argues that forcible action is not the only option.
The analysis points to nonforcible countermeasures as a viable legal tool. These are actions that would otherwise be unlawful but become justified as a response to another state's breach of international law. In this case, such measures could be tailored to pressure Iran while preserving the broader framework of freedom of navigation.
The article emphasizes that these countermeasures must be proportionate and reversible. It suggests that coordinated state action, using legal and economic tools, could effectively signal that the closure will carry consequences. This approach offers a middle path between inaction and military escalation, though the analysis acknowledges that its success depends on political will and international unity.