General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo exactly where is "international airspace" in the Strait of Hormuz?
Oman and Iran split the Strait down the middle to establish their marititime boundaries...
At its narrowest, the Strait is only 21 nautical miles (nm) wide.
Iran claims its airspace extends out to 12 nm from its coastline, which leaves Oman only 9 nm at the narrows to claim as theirs.
There is no airspace at the narrows that is not claimed by either country - hence no "international airspace" there.
Here is the only airspace map of the Persian gulf I can find...
and this is the map of where the US UAV was shot down...
So, again I ask - where is "international airspace" in the Strait of Hormuz?
Igel
(35,300 posts)However, you can think of there being necessary and adequate easements in which the seaways and air are to be freely accessible to the public, and which are in many treated as though they were international. The lingo gets really stilted really quickly when trying to make all the fine-grained distinctions, so international shipping lanes are usually just referred to as "international waters".
https://www.asil.org/insights/volume/16/issue/16/transit-passage-rights-strait-hormuz-and-iran%E2%80%99s-threats-block-passage
If Oman and Iran both decided to disallow, say, Indian planes or ships, they'd be in violation of treaty and international law.
Note that while Iran makes certain claims, barring a separate treaty delineating maritime boundaries typically the boundary is halfway in between. So an asymmetric claim usually collapses as imperialist or jingoist.
jpak
(41,757 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)I wondered that, too. Thanks for your maps.
CaptainJerry
(1 post)I am an International Jet Transport Pilot. I have 30 years plus experience certified to fly jets all over the world.
A strange thing happened to me when I was researching this post. All of the usual sites for aviation charts have Iran and Oman blocked. I spent an hour looking. Finally I had to dust off my old WACs (World Aviation Chart).
No International Airspace exist in the Strait!
The U.S. drone was operating illegally according to I.C.A.O. (International Aviation Civil Organization) regulations.
The military is legally required to obey this law of the sky. It did not.
Thats one violation.
The radar transponder was turned off, illegally.
Thats two violations.
The navigational and collision avoidance lighting was turned off.
Thats three violations.
The aircraft was flying at an altitude where International Flight Plans are required. There was none on file in any nation.
Thats four violations.
The aircraft was flying in controlled airspace.
Thats five violations.
The U.S. is DEAD WRONG and LYING!!
SouthernProgressive
(1,810 posts)jpak
(41,757 posts)superpatriotman
(6,247 posts)Did you decide to join just to comment on this thread?
If so, bravo and enjoy your stay!
hack89
(39,171 posts)Article 3 (b) states that aircraft used in military, customs and police services shall be deemed to be state aircraft.
jpak
(41,757 posts)Really?
If so - can Russian Tu-95 can fly anywhere it wants in our airspace?
hack89
(39,171 posts)I.C.A.O. regulations do not apply to military aircraft.
Sovereign airspace is not dictated by I.C.A.O. regulations - it is simply a set of rules that facilitates international air travel across international boundaries.
Russian Tu-95s have have no internationally recognized right to violate US airspace.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Welcome to DU!
hack89
(39,171 posts)a narrow point starting where the US claims the drone was shot down and constantly widening as one heads south into the Gulf of Oman.
Takket
(21,563 posts)The drone could fly over Iran, the Straight or through your bedroom but as long as drumpf and his cabal are wagging the dog, the drone is wherever they say it is.
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,181 posts)So sez the Donald.
Link to tweet
Donald J. Trump?Verified account @realDonaldTrump · 9h9 hours ago
China gets 91% of its Oil from the Straight, Japan 62%, & many other countries likewise. So why are we protecting the shipping lanes for other countries (many years) for zero compensation. All of these countries should be protecting their own ships on what has always been....
5:08 AM - 24 Jun 2019
superpatriotman
(6,247 posts)Because I do (regarding this tweet)
Wounded Bear
(58,648 posts)Do you see the problem there?