IMO Chief: No Right To Blockade International Straits

LONDON, April 13 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said on Monday that no country has the right to blockade international straits used for international transit, reported Xinhua.

Speaking at a press briefing, Dominguez made the remarks in response to a question on whether Washington's potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would violate international law.

"From a legal perspective, in accordance with international law, there is no right to prohibit the right of innocent passage, nor to impede the freedom of navigation through international straits used for international transit," he said.

United States (US) President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy would begin blocking ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks with Iran failed to produce a deal.

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA