Iran calls US secondary sanctions illegal as Hormuz oil transit drops

Legal dispute over secondary sanctions

The Iranian government has condemned United States plans for an expanded economic campaign, stating that the measures violate the United Nations Charter and international legal principles. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghai stated on X that financial institutions, commercial enterprises, and airports subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of one state must not be forced by other governments to forgo lawful trade with third parties. The diplomatic response follows statements from US President Donald Trump, who threatened severe penalties against countries maintaining commercial relations with Teheran. US officials have increased pressure on allied governments to participate in the measures, which Trump characterized as an economic operation designed to conclude the war against Iran.

Economic coercion aimed at forcing a sovereign state to change its lawful political decisions constitutes a clear breach of law.

Disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz

The legal dispute accompanies severe shipping disruptions in the Persian Gulf, where commercial oil traffic remains constrained. Prior to the war, approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Ship-tracking data from Kpler indicates that transit dropped to an average of 6 million barrels per day during the 60-day Buergenstock ceasefire, representing less than 40% of pre-war levels. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed that daily transit had recently climbed to 9 million barrels and described the waterway as de facto open, though tracking data and Iranian statements contradict that assessment. Washington has coordinated with Oman and the United Arab Emirates to reroute commercial shipments through alternative regional corridors, while the United Arab Emirates has imposed its own sanctions against Teheran.

Oil price volatility and sanctions pressure

International oil markets registered price fluctuations throughout the week as traders evaluated supply risks resulting from the maritime blockade. Brent crude for October delivery traded at $93.22 per barrel on Friday, marking a decrease of approximately 0.5% from Thursday after rising by more than 5% since Monday. Commerzbank commodity analyst Barbara Lambrecht reported that transit through the Persian Gulf remains stalled, adding that additional US sanctions aimed at buyers of Iranian oil, including China, threaten to reduce global crude availability. China represents one of the primary destinations for Iranian crude exports, which are already constrained by an American naval blockade.

The situation at the Strait of Hormuz is deadlocked.

Strategic assessments and military realignment

Strategic evaluations within the White House suggest that current conditions impose higher financial costs on Teheran than on the United States, according to an analysis by Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute. US officials assess that combining alternative Gulf shipping routes with naval enforcement allows Washington to sustain its position without initiating new military offensives. In response to US pressure, Teheran reorganized its military command structure ten days prior to 21 August, shifting Gulf operations toward offensive missions. Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, confirmed the revised strategy, stating that Iranian military forces will transfer operational activities onto enemy territory whenever ordered by leadership.