A British proposal to target Iran's national shipping lines under a draft UN sanctions resolution could temporarily curb Tehran's ability to export oil to world markets, maritime sources said on Tuesday.
The confidential draft, obtained by Reuters on Friday, suggests denying rights of passage to Iranian merchant ships in foreign waters. The withdrawal of landing rights for Iranian aircraft is also suggested.
The British proposal would have countries "deny permission to take off from, land in or overfly their territories, or berth in or secure passage through their territorial waters, of all aircraft and vessels owned or controlled by Iranian airlines or shipping companies."
Under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention ships of all nations have the right of innocent passage through a country's territorial seas. UN member nations are bound to enforce Security Council resolutions once adopted.
Oil shipping sources said on Tuesday that, if adopted, the proposal could have a short-term effect on Iran's ability to supply oil to world markets, even though US and European officials insist it is not meant to target Iran's oil.
"It's a question of logistics," said James Davis of Lloyd's Marine Intelligence Unit (LMIU) in London, a consultancy that tracks global oil tanker flows.
He said Iran could revert to the commercial shipping market to move its oil, thereby side-stepping the United Nations. "Whether there is enough tanker capacity to cover it is another question, but I think we are looking at a short-term impact," he said.
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