patrick.net

"Straits used for international navigation through the territorial sea between one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone are subject to the legal regime of transit passage (Strait of Gibraltar, Dover Strait, Strait of Hormuz). The regime of innocent passage applies in straits used for international navigation (1) that connect a part of high seas or an exclusive economic zone with the territorial sea of coastal nation (Strait of Tiran, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Baltiysk) and (2) in straits formed by an island of a state bordering the strait and its mainland if there exists seaward of the island a route through the high seas or through an exclusive economic zone of similar convenience with respect to navigational and hydrographical characteristics (Strait of Messina, Pentland Firth). There may be no suspension of innocent passage through such straits."

OP fail.
Hugo posted the relevant maritime law.
The other reason is simple: we could reduce Iran to a smoking crater any time we had sufficient will to do so. They’d be wise to not piss us off.

Since when does law dictate morality or security? Instead of making excuses, imagine Russian warships twenty miles off the coast of California or New York every day, and tell me how you'd feel.

NuttBoxer says

imagine Russian warships twenty miles off the coast of California or New York every day, and tell me how you'd feel.

I would ROTFLMAO if I saw this thing off the coast of California:



This is their biggest and best "blue water" ship, mind you.

The chances to actually see it off the coast of California are very slim since it was damaged by a falling crane in a dry dock (while the latter was sinking) and doesn't go out of port anymore.

NuttBoxer says

Since when does law dictate morality or security? Instead of making excuses, imagine Russian warships twenty miles off the coast of California or New York every day, and tell me how you'd feel.

There's a sea on the other side of the Straits of Hormuz that connect at least 6 other countries besides Iran.

It's international waters by ancient custom and treaties. Iran has no right to block it.

Also, if Iran can block the Straits of Hormuz, what about Oman and the UAE? You may notice the Straits of Hormuz is bounded on the South as well.

Maybe Oman can cut off all Iranian passage through the Straits?

Hugolas_Madurez says

I would ROTFLMAO if I saw this thing off the coast of California:

Is that on fire!?

Here is how Narrow the shipping lanes are, by the way:



So when the Iranians whinge about civilian tankers accidentally crossing into their territorial waters, you can see how little searoom these bigass vessels have to operate.

HonkpilledMaster says

It's international waters by ancient custom and treaties. Iran has no right to block it.

Imagine in the USA blocked the Straits of Florida from international traffic going to Mexico or out to the Bahamas, Haita, DR, and points beyond to any and all traffic.

If the Middle East hadn't had the shit bombed out of it for the past 20 years, I'd agree with you. But things aren't quite as peaceful over there as they are in the Caribbean, and the US MIC is the main culprit. And many of those war torn countries share a border with Iran.

Seriously, are you gonna pretend the shit we do is ok?

NuttBoxer says

Hugolas_Madurez says

I would ROTFLMAO if I saw this thing off the coast of California:

Is that on fire!?

Nope, it's operating "normally", according to the ststement from the Russian Navy. =))

Also, when that thing was deployed off the coast of Syria it lost 3 figher-bombers in 1 months during landing attempts. After which the fuckers finally gave up and moved all remaining aircraft (all 2) to the airstrip on land. This is fucking comedy gold, I'm telling you. =))

NuttBoxer says

Seriously, are you gonna pretend the shit we do is ok?

Yes. Keeping customary-since-time-immemorial sealanes open is absolutely, positively a right of the United States and our Great Navy.

Whether it's Tripoli Xebec Pirates or Iranian Speedboat Pirates, I say fire as she bears and board 'em in the smoke.

HonkpilledMaster says

So when the Iranians whinge about civilian tankers accidentally crossing into their territorial waters, you can see how little searoom these bigass vessels have to operate.

That's the point, they're practically landing on shore every time they go through.

HonkpilledMaster says

Yes. Keeping customary-since-time-immemorial sealanes open is absolutely, positively a right of the United States and our Great Navy.

Quit being a jackass, you know I was talking about. Seizing land for oil, bombing civilians, and turning three countries into permanent failed state war zones.

The US is a warmongering imperialist who has raped and pillaged for decades all around you, and now wants to ensure international passages stay open for their and SA's oil. I'd have fuckin nuked every boat and base within 100 miles of my border.

NuttBoxer says

That's the point, they're practically landing on shore every time they go through.

And all these stop and siezures are just strange timing. Not because the Iranians want to make a fuss and see if the Euros/Russians/Chinese get the US to go back to the Obama Agreement (never ratified by the Senate and therefore not binding on this admin)

NuttBoxer says

Quit being a jackass, you know I was talking about. Seizing land for oil, bombing civilians, and turning three countries into permanent failed state war zones.

What Iranian Land did we seize? Kharg Island?

Civilians die in military conflict. Don't think the Iranians haven't butchered not only tens of thousands of Iraqi Civilians in the 1980s, but tens of thousands of their own, including the 8-year old children of political dissidents by the hundreds in 1989.

(Thanks, Gulf Strike! Many happy hours of childhood entertainment)

Iranians absolutely would control the straight if they had the military firepower to back it up. They’d charge each ship to pass, whatever they liked. Since they don’t have the firepower to back that claim, they don’t make it, and instead make chicken shit “pirate” raids for fabricated cause. That will end when the USA says enough. Right now, Trump is using the situation to negotiate a tighter relationship with the U.K.
Say what you will, but our President is a hell of a negotiator!

imagine Russian warships twenty miles off the coast of California or New York every day, and tell me how you'd feel.

Do not have to imagine. When I was a kid I remember Soviet and Warsaw Pact "fishing trawlers" sitting just outside the 12 mile limit off the coast of Virginia. I know a Romanian immigrant who now owns a large taxi company outside of Baltimore. He told me that back in the day he was a sailor that served on one of those spy "trawlers."