International Law / Maritime Law
Date: 6 March 2026 | Source: The Indian Express, Delhi Edition, 6 March 2026
Tags: UNCLOS, EEZ, Maritime Law, IRIS Dena, Iran, Right of Self-Defence, UPSC International Law
📝 Test Your Understanding
Take a quick 5-question quiz based on this article
The sinking of IRIS Dena, an Iranian naval frigate, by the US military raised fundamental questions under UNCLOS and the UN Charter’s right of self-defence. Essential reading for UPSC International Law.
Introduction
IRIS Dena, a frigate of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN), was sunk by US forces during the broader US-Iran military conflict. The incident raised immediate questions: Was this a legitimate act of self-defence? What are the rights and duties of naval vessels under UNCLOS?
⚓ About IRIS Dena
- Class: Moudge-class frigate — Iran’s domestically-built warship class
- Displacement: ~1,500 tonnes; length ~94 metres
- Role: Anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, patrol
- Significance: One of Iran’s most modern domestically-built naval vessels
The UNCLOS Framework: Key Concepts
| Maritime Zone | Extent | Rights |
|---|---|---|
| Territorial Sea | 0–12 nautical miles | Full sovereignty; foreign ships have right of innocent passage only |
| Contiguous Zone | 12–24 nm | Coastal state may enforce customs, fiscal, immigration laws |
| EEZ | 0–200 nm | Sovereign rights over resources; other states retain freedom of navigation |
| High Seas | Beyond 200 nm | Freedom of navigation; no state sovereignty |
UN Charter Article 51: Right of Self-Defence
Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, every UN member state has an “inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs.” The US justified striking IRIS Dena under this provision.
⚠️ Key Takeaways for UPSC
- UNCLOS (1982): Establishes maritime zones — Territorial Sea (12 nm), Contiguous Zone (24 nm), EEZ (200 nm), High Seas.
- Innocent Passage: Foreign ships may pass through a state’s territorial sea, provided passage is continuous and does not threaten peace.
- UN Charter Article 51: The “inherent right of self-defence” — key for UPSC international law.
- Moudge-class: Iran’s domestically-built frigate class.
Glossary
| UNCLOS | UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) — defines maritime zones and rights of states over ocean areas. |
| EEZ | Exclusive Economic Zone — extends 200 nautical miles from a coastal state’s baseline. |
| Article 51, UN Charter | Recognises the “inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs.” |
| Innocent Passage | Right of foreign ships to pass through a state’s territorial sea, continuously and without threatening peace. |
📝 Practice Quiz — 5 MCQs
Select an answer to reveal the explanation