Gerard N. Magliocca
Balkin.blogspot.com

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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https://balkin.blogspot.com/2026/04/a-naval-blockade-is-act-of-war.html