The Iran war and US-Iran conflict are raising fresh alarms about the law of the high seas that underpins New Zealand trade routes, with an international law expert warning the escalation could “threaten the law of the high seas”. The concern centres on maritime security and freedom of navigation as tensions increase in the region.
New Zealand’s economy depends heavily on sea lanes, and any destabilisation of rules governing international waters would amplify risks for exporters, shipping insurers and supply chains. The warning highlights how a regional conflict can have global consequences for smaller, trade-reliant states.
Strait of Hormuz and maritime security
The Strait of Hormuz is a key chokepoint for global energy flows, and incidents there reverberate across shipping markets. In a conflict scenario, the risk of disruption or contested passage could ripple into the wider Indo-Pacific and complicate maritime security for partners and allies.
For New Zealand, the issue is not just energy prices but the credibility of international law. The “law of the high seas” is a core part of the rules-based order that protects access to global markets for countries without large navies.
Why the stakes extend to New Zealand
The expert’s warning underscores a power dynamic in which major powers contest rules that smaller nations depend on. If those rules are weakened, the cost of trade and the risk of coercion rise, even far from the Gulf.
The broader implication is that distant conflicts can erode trust in international norms, leaving open trading nations more exposed to disruption and geopolitical pressure.
