بررسی تأثیر جزایر ایرانی خلیج فارس و تنگه هرمز در قلمروسازی دریایی ایران (مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
درجه علمی: نشریه علمی (وزارت علوم)
آرشیو
چکیده
قلمروسازی دریایی یکی از مباحث مهم و حساسیت برانگیز برای کشورهای ساحلی یا جزیره ای است. کشور ایران ازجمله کشورهایی است که به دلیل داشتن موقعیت دریایی مناسب در جنوب و همچنین برخورداری از جزایر متعدد در خلیج فارس و تنگه هرمز سعی کرده است براساس کنوانسیون 1982 حقوق دریاها، قلمروسازی دریایی خود را رسمیت بخشد؛ بر همین اساس، باتوجه به اهمیت و حساسیت های موجود در خلیج فارس، این پژوهش درصدد آن است تا نقش جزایر ایرانی خلیج فارس و تنگه هرمز را در قلمروسازی دریایی ایران بررسی کند. در انجام این تحقیق، اطلاعات به روش کتابخانه ای و اسنادی به خصوص مراجعه به متن ها و نقشه ها و اعلامیه های حقوقی موجود در این زمینه گردآوری شده است و با روش توصیفی- تحلیلی و تحلیل کارتوگرافیکی تجزیه وتحلیل شده اند. نتایج تحقیق نشان می دهد که وجود جزایر باعث شده است تا ایران خط مبدأ مستقیم را مبنای قلمروسازی دریایی خود قرار دهد. این عمل، از یک طرف محدوده آب های پشت خط مبدأ، یعنی آب های داخلی و از طرف دیگر سایر قلمروهای دریایی ایران را به سمت دریا گسترش داده است. همچنین، برخی جزایر به دلیل برخورداری از دریای سرزمینی خاص خود، باعث گسترش مضاعف دریای سرزمینی ایران در فراساحل خلیج فارس شده اند؛ بنابراین، این مسئله باعث شده است تا حاکمیت و نیز صلاحیت دریایی ایران در خلیج فارس گسترش یابد. همچنین باتوجه به موافقت نامه های دوجانبه ای که بین ایران و برخی کشورهای مقابل مثل عربستان وجود دارد، اوضاع و احوال خاص درخصوص نقش برخی جزایر در قلمروسازی دریایی شکل گرفته است.Investigating the Impacts of Iranian Islands in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on Iran's Maritime Territorialization
Maritime territorialization is a significant issue for coastal and island nations. Benefiting from its strategic maritime location in the south and its numerous islands in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has sought to formalize its maritime territorialization in accordance with the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea. This study aimed to examine the role of Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in supporting Iran's maritime territorial claims. The data for this research were collected through library and documentary methods, particularly by reviewing the existing legal texts and maps. The analysis was conducted using a descriptive-analytical approach with a focus on cartographic analysis. The findings indicated that the presence of islands allowed Iran to establish its maritime territorialization based on the direct baseline. This strategy, in turn, expanded both the internal waters behind the baseline and Iran's maritime territories outward into the sea. Additionally, certain islands, due to their own territorial seas, led to a double expansion of Iran's territorial sea in the Persian Gulf. Consequently, this situation enhanced Iran's sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction in the region. Moreover, considering the bilateral agreements between Iran and neighboring countries, such as Saudi Arabia, unique circumstances had arisen concerning the role of islands in maritime territorialization. Keywords : Maritime Territorialization, Iranian Islands, Persian Gulf, Political Geography of the Sea. Introduction Territory and territorialization by countries and political actors represent key concepts in geopolitics driven by inherent instincts related to power and ambition. While the nature and function of maritime and land territories differ fundamentally, both forms of territorialization aim to secure geographical resources that confer power and dominance. For coastal and island nations, maritime territorialization is a critical and sensitive issue as each country seeks to maximize its national interests in maritime areas while adhering to international laws, particularly the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea. Iran, with its strategic maritime position in the south and numerous islands in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, has made efforts to formalize its maritime territorialization in accordance with the 1982 Convention. Given the presence of these islands and the geopolitical significance of the Persian Gulf, this research aimed to examine the role of Iranian islands in maritime territorialization. Key questions addressed in this study included the extent to which these islands influence Iran's maritime territorial claims, how their impact is moderated, and the implications for Iran's maritime sovereignty and jurisdiction. Materials & Methods In this research, data were collected using library and documentary methods, particularly by examining texts, maps, and legal declarations relevant to the subject. The analysis was conducted through a descriptive-analytical approach supported by the preparation of pertinent maps and corresponding cartographic analyses. The study area for this research was the Persian Gulf, which is home to approximately 130 islands of varying sizes. The Iranian islands in the northern part of the Persian Gulf are predominantly inhabited with Iran possessing around 31 islands in this region, 12 of which are residential. Notably, Kharg Island situated in one of the deepest sections of the Persian Gulf hosts the world's largest oil terminal, thanks to its deep shores that accommodate large vessels. This strategic location allows these islands to serve as critical points for the defense of Iran's southern and maritime borders. From a strategic perspective, Iran's unique position is not solely defined by its military and demographic advantages in the region, but also by its sovereignty over the most sensitive strategic islands in the Strait of Hormuz and along its crucial entry and exit routes. Research Findings Numerous islands in the Persian Gulf belonging to the coastal nations of this region played a significant role in the maritime territorialization efforts of these countries. Among them, Iran had been particularly focused on defining its maritime territories in accordance with the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, given the geopolitical, geostrategic, and geoeconomic importance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. When comparing the maritime territories associated with these islands to the provisions of the 1982 Convention, it became evident that significant attention had been paid to the role of Iranian islands in establishing maritime boundaries, especially in determining the baseline and territorial sea in the Persian Gulf. Eight Iranian islands had been utilized to establish the direct baseline, which had effectively expanded internal waters—those lying behind the baseline—as well as other maritime territories, particularly the territorial sea. Had these islands not existed, Iran would have likely relied on the normal baseline, which would have substantially reduced its maritime territories in favor of neighboring countries in the southern Persian Gulf. Additionally, seven Iranian islands possessed territorial seas, with the territorial seas of six of these islands contiguous to the coastal territory. This underscored the importance of territorial seas for Iran as they were essential for asserting rights in other maritime legal areas. Consequently, after establishing the territorial seas of these islands, Iran could pursue and implement claims over additional maritime areas. However, Farsi Island, due to its distance from the Iranian coast and proximity to Saudi Arabia, did not maintain this continuity. Given the short distance between Farsi Island and Saudi Arabia's Arabian Island, the median line had been applied to delineate the territorial seas of both islands. Thus, the first group of islands not only had expanded Iran's maritime sovereignty, but also had enhanced its maritime jurisdiction. While Farsi Island had primarily contributed to the expansion of maritime jurisdiction, assessments of other maritime territories indicated that these islands did not exert a complete influence due to the narrow width of the Persian Gulf. For instance, the territorial sea boundaries of islands, such as Abu Musa, Siri, and Farsi marked the extent of Iran's maritime territory with no additional sea areas beyond them. However, if the role of these islands in determining the baseline or territorial sea was disregarded, Iran's geoeconomic and geostrategic interests in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz would be significantly compromised in favor of regional countries and external powers. Therefore, Iran must consistently recognize the importance of its islands in defining its maritime territories under relevant laws and support the comprehensive development of these islands. Although Iran had been delineating its maritime territories over two distinct periods and had initiated codified legislation in this regard, it also maintained bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding with several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and various emirates of the United Arab Emirates. These agreements had created unique circumstances concerning the role of islands in Iran's maritime territorialization, with the Iran-Saudi Arabia maritime agreement serving as a notable example. A critical issue in this context is the U.S. objection to the Islamic Republic of Iran's maritime zone laws, which, if exacerbated by provocations from other countries and international pressure against Iran, could present challenges and potentially alter the influence of islands in determining Iran's maritime territories. Naturally, this situation would have profound implications for many of Iran's geopolitical interests. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf hold significant geopolitical, geostrategic, and geoeconomic importance for Iran, particularly in the context of maritime territorialization. The presence of these islands has facilitated the expansion of Iran's maritime territories into the central waters of the Persian Gulf. While Iran has made efforts to maximize its maritime claims by leveraging the International Law of the Sea—particularly by incorporating its islands into these claims—opposition from neighboring countries with conflicting interests has resulted in the application of special circumstances for certain islands. Consequently, the full potential of these islands is not realized and in some instances, their influence is limited due to the absence of bilateral or multilateral agreements. This situation highlights the complexities involved in maritime areas, such as the Persian Gulf, which, while possessing significant geostrategic, geopolitical, and geoeconomic value, also feature a limited sea width. As a result, the full implementation of the provisions of the International Convention on the Law of the Sea is fraught with difficulties, leading to ongoing challenges in this regard.
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