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Iran's Parliament is drafting legislation to impose fees on ships transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
This move is anticipated to face strong international opposition, particularly from Gulf Arab states and the United States.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global maritime chokepoint, through which a significant portion of the world's oil and gas passes.
Imposing such fees could escalate regional tensions, impact global energy markets, and challenge established international maritime law.
Transit Passage is a right under UNCLOS (Article 38) allowing ships and aircraft to transit through international straits for continuous and expeditious passage between one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another. This right cannot be suspended. A Maritime Chokepoint is a narrow sea channel that is strategically vital because it concentrates maritime traffic, making it critical for global trade and energy supply, and vulnerable to disruption.
Simple Analogy: Imagine a busy highway (international strait) connecting two major cities (high seas). 'Transit Passage' is like the right of any vehicle to use this highway freely and quickly without paying a toll, as long as they are just passing through. A 'Chokepoint' is like a single narrow bridge on that highway, where all traffic must pass, making it crucial and easily disrupted.
This comprehensive international treaty defines the rights and responsibilities of nations regarding their use of the world's oceans. Article 38 of UNCLOS specifically addresses the right of transit passage through straits used for international navigation, which is central to the legality of Iran's proposed fees.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is bordered by Iran to the north and the Musandam Governorate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. Its strategic location makes it the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
GS-II: International Relations (Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests); GS-I: Geography (Important Geophysical Phenomena, Geographical features and their location).
General Awareness: Geography, Current Affairs (International Events).
General Awareness: Current Affairs (Global Economy, Geopolitics).
General Awareness: Geography, Current Affairs.
General Awareness: Geopolitics, Strategic Locations, International Relations.
A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which
Answer: the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
Answer: The Committee on Estimates
Consider the following statements: 1. Attorney General of India and Solicitor General of India are the only officers of the Government who are allowed to participate in the meetings of the Parliament of India. 2. According to the Constitution of India, the Attorney General of India submits his resignation when the Government which appointed him resigns. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
Geopolitical chokepoints and international maritime law are recurring topics in UPSC and other competitive exams due to their strategic importance.
A narrow, strategically important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The right of ships and aircraft to pass expeditiously through international straits, as per UNCLOS.
A narrow sea channel critical for global trade and energy supply, vulnerable to disruption.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an international treaty governing ocean use.