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Comment by adrr | Hacker News Reader

> Iran hasn’t ratified UNCLOS either, and claims it is not subject to it.

Which isn't unique. Bunch of countries haven't ratified it and aren't legally bound by it but do follow it in spirit. US, Turkey, UAE, Israel etc.

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Do you really think the US wouldn't abandon it in a heartbeat if it became a matter of strategic necessity?

Countries that haven't signed do violate it. Israel prevents ships free transit to the Gaza strip. US does naval blockades and blows up boats.

Naval blockades of enemy ports during war are legal, that is what USA and Israel argue they are doing. That is not what Iran is doing, they are blocking fully neutral ships from going in other countries waterways.

US at war? We are past the 60 days for a military operation. From US law perspective, it’s illegal. From the constitutional perspective only congress can declare war which they haven’t.

> From US law perspective, it’s illegal

But US law is not international law. Internationally you are at war, whatever you call it internally doesn't matter to me.

International law only applies when you ratify a treaty so it becomes domestic law. Thats how treaties work, they actually laws of the country hence the term ratification into domestic law. Why US doesn't violate international law on land mines and cluster bombs. US never signed that treaty.

Are we at war with Cuba? US navy had been blockading the island from receiving fuel.

If you perform acts of war then you are at war even if nobody uses that word.

And Iran is blocking a strategic chokepoint during a war of defense, pressuring their enemies due to the war being illegal and unprovoked. See how easy it is to argue?

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