Russia Condemns U.S. Blockade of Strait of Hormuz as Violation of International Law

On April 16, 2026, Russia denounced the United States’ blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a violation of the UN Charter and international maritime law, warning that the unilateral action risks further escalating regional tensions and triggering economic repercussions.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the U.S. Measures — including intercepting vessels and blocking Iranian ports — constitute a strictly unilateral and illegal act under both the UN Charter and established international legal frameworks.

“This is yet another arbitrary interpretation by Washington of the international legal framework, which only contributes to the further escalation of the conflict and, naturally, leads to corresponding economic consequences,” Zakharova said, as reported by Xinhua.

She emphasized that, according to the UN Charter, the imposition of a naval blockade is permissible only as a collective measure decided upon by the UN Security Council to restore and maintain international peace and security.

The U.S. Began enforcing the blockade on April 14, 2026, targeting ships attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports via the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints — in an effort to pressure Tehran following the collapse of peace negotiations.

The move has drawn concern from energy-importing nations, particularly India, which had recently resumed importing Iranian oil after a seven-year hiatus. India’s energy supplies are now under additional strain due to the expiration of a U.S. Waiver on April 11, 2026, that had allowed countries including India to purchase Russian crude oil.

According to CNBC, India imported approximately 1.5 million barrels per day of Russian crude in March 2026 under the waiver. With both Iranian and Russian oil supplies now restricted, India — which imports over 85% of its crude oil needs, amounting to roughly 5.5 million barrels per day — faces a mounting energy supply squeeze.

Mukesh Sahdev, chief oil analyst at energy intelligence firm XAnalysts, told CNBC that India is experiencing a “mounting supply squeeze with the loss of Iranian barrels, plus not getting the Russian barrels,” highlighting the compounded impact of U.S. Policies on global energy markets.

Russia’s condemnation aligns with growing international concern over the legality and consequences of unilateral sanctions and blockades that bypass multilateral institutions. As global energy markets remain tight and geopolitical tensions persist, the Strait of Hormuz continues to serve as a focal point in the broader struggle over energy security and international law.