Balkinization  

Sunday, April 12, 2026

A Naval Blockade is an Act of War

Gerard N. Magliocca

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy Administration was careful to label its naval action to stop further deliveries by Soviet ships a "quarantine." The reason for this was that a "blockade" is an act of war under international law. 

I don't know all the legal and diplomatic consequences that flow from calling the Iran operation a blockade instead of a quarantine. As an Admiralty teacher, all I can say is that acts of war trigger mutual exceptions or force majeure is most maritime contracts.  


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