Iran is 'not bound' by UN Law of the Sea, foreign minister says

Iran asserted its sovereignty and legal stance at the United Nations amid a stalemate in the Iran conflict, as diplomatic discussions continue over a proposed framework to end hostilities. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump reviewed a new Iranian proposal with his national security team, though key disagreements over nuclear issues and Gulf shipping remain unresolved.

Dan Fastenberg/Reuters

April 28, 2026

Iran is 'not bound' by UN Law of the Sea, foreign minister says

Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, addresses the General Assembly on the failure of the Security Council to pass a Strait of Hormuz resolution proposed at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., April 16, 2026.

Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

With the war in Iran at a stalemate, Tehran’s U.N. envoy asserted Iranian sovereignty outside the Security Council on Monday (April 27).

U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal to resolve the war with Tehran with his top national security aides on Monday.

Iranian sources earlier disclosed Tehran’s latest proposal, which would set aside discussion of Iran’s nuclear programme until the war ends and disputes over shipping from the Gulf are resolved. That approach is unlikely to satisfy Washington, which has said nuclear issues must be addressed from the outset.

Speaking outside the meeting, Iran’s U.N. ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, also emphasized Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran is not a party to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Accordingly, it is not bound by its treaty-based provisions, except to the extent that specific rules reflected therein are universally recognized as customary international law.”

-Dan Fastenberg/Reuters