The Foreign Ministry stated that defining Iraq maritime zones is a sovereign matter carried out under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The clarification followed Iraq’s recent submission of updated maritime charts to the United Nations supported by national legislation and international legal standards.
Iraq updates maritime coordinates and files them with the UN
According to the ministry, Cabinet Decision No. 266 of 2025 is grounded in several Iraqi laws and decisions concerning Iraq’s maritime rights and jurisdictions. The decision consolidates previous documentation into a single file supported by precise geographic coordinates.
Legal basis under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
The ministry explained that the latest measures align with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and reflect developments in international maritime law including expanded rights for coastal states.
Details of the latest UN deposit
Iraq deposited its updated lists of baseline coordinates on 19 January and 9 February 2026. The submission included:
• Straight baselines.
• Baselines measured from low-water islands.
• Limits of the territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf.
These were submitted using the internationally recognized WGS 84 geodetic system replacing previous deposits from 2011 and 2021.
Iraq reiterates the sovereign nature of maritime delimitation
The ministry stressed that defining maritime zones is an exclusive sovereign act that no foreign state has the right to interfere in.
It also reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to international law and UN procedures governing maritime boundary documentation.
Why the update matters
The updated maritime coordinates strengthen Iraq’s legal standing regarding its territorial waters and economic zones and provide a unified reference for international dealings related to maritime boundaries.
Conclusion:
With these steps Iraq reinforces its maritime rights under international law and ensures that its updated maritime coordinates are clearly recognized by the United Nations.
