Commentary: Hormuz is no longer one front in US-Iran war - it is becoming a test

The Strait of Hormuz has evolved into a pivotal battleground, testing the principle of freedom of navigation as tensions between the United States and Iran escalate. What began as an effort to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions has transformed into a fundamental dispute over maritime passage. Iran's persistent attacks on commercial shipping, even after a memorandum of understanding, signal a strategic intent to leverage control of the vital waterway. This aggressive stance aims to fundamentally alter the existing navigation regime, potentially through the establishment of a new authority and the imposition of tolls for safe transit. The US response, including a briefly considered fee on cargo, has been criticized as misdirected, failing to address the core issue of Iran's actions. Historically, Iran has used attacks on shipping to send strategic messages, a pattern observed since the 1980s Tanker War and continuing with incidents in 2019 and the current conflict. The current situation is particularly concerning as it challenges the established international order. Freedom of navigation, a cornerstone of global trade protected under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), faces increasing pressure from various geopolitical flashpoints, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and actions in the South China Sea. The outcome of the Hormuz situation will have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only energy security and shipping costs for Asian economies but also setting precedents for the governance of other contested waterways worldwide. The principle of transit passage through international straits, as enshrined in UNCLOS, is under direct threat, with potential implications for the predictability and stability of global maritime commerce.