Iran’s dangerous jousting in international waters

Security Concerns in the Strait of Hormuz

By Elisabeth Braw

Four years ago, the world woke up to the security risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Seizure of the Stena Impero

On July 19, 2019, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps seized the Stena Impero, a Swedish-owned, UK-flagged tanker in the strait’s Omani waters. The ship and crew were released two months later, but the incident caused concerns among shipping companies and insurers.

Mounting Anxieties

Today, anxieties about security in the Strait of Hormuz are increasing once again. The United States Navy has recently deployed a force of 3,000 sailors and Marines to ensure the safety of shipping in the area. This decision comes after a series of Iranian attacks on merchant vessels, including two in the past month alone. However, the ability to address these concerns without triggering armed confrontation with Iran remains uncertain.

A History of Attacks

The seizure of the Stena Impero was a dramatic event, with commandos boarding the tanker from a helicopter and speedboats. Since then, there have been several other incidents in the strait and neighboring areas. Iran seized a South Korean-flagged chemical tanker in January 2021, an Iranian cargo ship was damaged by a missile thought to be fired by Israel, and a Japanese-owned tanker was attacked by drones. Iranian forces also attempted to seize two vessels traveling in international waters in July but were deterred by nearby U.S. Navy ships.

The Core Problem

Iran alone has attacked over 20 merchant vessels since 2021. The core problem in the Strait of Hormuz is the adversarial relationship between Iran and the U.S. Although the attacked vessels are not U.S.-flagged, their cargoes are mostly related to U.S. companies. This is seen as a shot across the bow at the United States.

The Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil-transit chokepoint, with around 30 percent of the world’s crude oil passing through it. The chaos in the strait sends a message that nation-states can attack ships without consequences.

The Role of the U.S. Military

The arrival of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the area is good news for tankers and the countries involved. The plan is to put armed security teams onboard merchant vessels, although it is unclear which ones. However, the Revolutionary Guards pose a tougher challenge than pirates, as they are professional and understand maritime procedures.

A Global Issue

Geopolitical flashpoints and disruptions to shipping are not limited to the Strait of Hormuz. Other areas, such as the Baltic Sea and the Taiwan Strait, also require attention from shipowners and law-abiding nations.

The Need for More Protection

While the U.S. Navy plays a significant role, it cannot escort every commercial vessel in the world. More nations need to dispatch their navies to protect merchant vessels. The Royal Navy has already provided assistance in the Strait of Hormuz, but other free-trading nations, such as Greece, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Germany, have not taken action.

Limitations and Risks

It is unclear how any force can effectively address Iran’s maritime harassment without risking armed conflict. Iran, Russia, and China operate in a gray zone between war and peace, allowing them to take actions that liberal democracies cannot.

The Impact on Seafarers

Commercial seafarers, numbering around 1.4 million, face increasing risks due to security concerns in the world’s seas. Consumers should consider supporting local industries and buying locally.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the security issues and disruptions faced by merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. These issues are connected to SDG 9 as they relate to the need for safe and secure infrastructure for international trade. The article also mentions the importance of protecting merchant vessels from nation-state violence, which aligns with SDG 16’s goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. Additionally, the article highlights the impact of these disruptions on the world’s oil transit chokepoint, which is relevant to SDG 14’s goal of protecting marine ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• SDG 14.7: By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism.
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

Based on the article’s content, the targets that can be identified are related to upgrading infrastructure and industries to make them sustainable (SDG 9.4), increasing economic benefits from the sustainable use of marine resources (SDG 14.7), and promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice (SDG 16.3).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 9.4: Proportion of industries upgraded to sustainable practices
• Indicator for SDG 14.7: Economic benefits generated from the sustainable use of marine resources
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of population with access to justice

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but the identified targets can be measured using indicators such as the proportion of industries upgraded to sustainable practices (for SDG 9.4), the economic benefits generated from the sustainable use of marine resources (for SDG 14.7), and the proportion of the population with access to justice (for SDG 16.3).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: politico.eu

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