The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

High Seas

in international law, that part of the world ocean that is outside the territorial waters of any state and is for the general use of all states.

The high seas are used on the basis of the generally accepted international legal principle of freedom of the seas, which stipulates that no country has the right to extend its authority to the high seas or to the air space above. The principle was affirmed by the 1958 Geneva Convention on the High Seas. All states have rights to commercial and military navigation on the high seas, to fish and hunt marine animals, to lay cable and pipelines, and to conduct scientific research; the aircraft of all countries may fly freely over the high seas.

A ship on the high seas is governed only by the authority of that state whose flag it flies. This is known as flag jurisdiction. An exception to this rule is the right of a foreign warship to stop and inspect another vessel on the high seas under certain conditions. During time of war, the high seas may become a theater of military operations.

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References in periodicals archive

Noting that Iran has so far sent 47 flotillas of warships to the international waters, he said, "The 47th fleet could establish security for 1,851 Iranian and foreign cargo ships and oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden, Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea."

Iranian Destroyer Repels Pirates' Massive Attack on Cargo Ship in Bab Al-Mandab

He also said that upon an order of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, building different state-of-the-art weapons and equipment as well as continued deployment in the international waters are also on the Iranian Navy's agenda.

Iranian Navy Responds to US-Led Coalition Warship's Threat

The nearly two months of patrolling mission was designed to protect the country's ships and interests in international waters.

Iran's Naval Fleet Coming Home after Successful Mission

Also in September, Rear Admiral Sayyari stressed that the Iranian Navy would continue its powerful and continued presence in the international waters, specially the Gulf of Aden, where the country's trade vessels are threatened by pirates.

China Asks for Iran Marine Training

In August, Army Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi told reporters on the sidelines of delivering a new destroyer to the third naval zone in Bushehr that the naval forces presence will continue and we will be present wherever the country's interests require from the Gulf of Aden to the international waters.

Iranian Destroyer Rescues Oil Tanker amid Pirates' Massive Attacks

In relevant remarks in December, a senior Iranian commander praised the exceptionally good performance of the country's naval forces for maintaining security to the international waters by escorting thousands of vessels in the high seas.

Navy Thwarts Pirate Attack on Iranian Oil Tanker in Red Sea

"The mission to protect the Islamic Republic of Iran's interests in international waters has gifted a strategic place to the Army's naval force in a way that it demonstrated the power of the Islamic Iran through its smart presence in trans-regional waters and voyage routes," the commander underscored.

Commander Lauds Navy for Successful Trans-Regional Role-Playing

Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian navy announced plans to build more warships and increase its presence in international waters.

Iran Determined to Bolster Naval Presence

Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said that Iranian naval forces enjoy the capability to provide safe passage for trade ships both in territorial and international waters.

Minister Underlines Iranian Navy's Ability to Protect Ships in Int'l Waters

Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Navy submarine named 'Younus' managed to set a new record in sailing the international waters and high seas for 66 days.

Iranian Submarine Sets Record in Sailing High Seas

Summary: TEHRAN (FNA)- Presence of the Iranian fleet of warships in the high seas and international waters is of paramount importance and indicates the country's might and power, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.

Navy Commander Underlines Importance of Iran's Presence in High Seas

Iran's measure to dispatch the 10th fleet of warships to the Gulf of Aden will boost Navy's operational range in international waters since the Iranian Navy is considered as a strategic regional force with a long operational range.

Iran to Send Fleet of Warships to Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea