how can iran claim the whole of the straits of hormuz

Iran can’t legally claim the whole Strait of Hormuz. What it can do is claim leverage over the waterway because its coastline sits on one side of the strait and its forces can threaten or disrupt shipping there.

What the claim usually means

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage with shipping lanes governed by international maritime law, not by one country alone. Iran’s “claim” is usually political or military language: it is asserting control, influence, or the ability to enforce rules around transit, rather than a universally recognized legal ownership of the entire strait.

Why Iran has leverage

Iran has geographic proximity, naval assets, and missile and drone capabilities that let it pressure vessels moving through the strait. That is why headlines describe it as a strategic choke point, especially during crises.

The legal reality

Under international maritime law, the strait is not Iran’s private waterway, and freedom of passage remains a major issue for maritime states. So when Iran says it “controls” or “closes” Hormuz, that is generally a de facto threat backed by force, not a clean legal claim to own the entire corridor.

Why this keeps trending

Recent reporting in June 2026 described Tehran expanding its asserted military control area, tightening shipping rules, and even declaring closures during the wider Iran-U.S. standoff. That makes the issue sound like ownership, but in practice it is about coercion, transit security, and bargaining power.

Simple version

• Can Iran own the whole strait? No, not legally.

• Can Iran disrupt it? Yes, to a significant degree.

• Why do people say it “claims” it? Because it tries to act as if it can set the terms of passage.

In short, Iran is not widely recognized as owning the Strait of Hormuz; it is trying to dominate it, which is a very different thing.