Legal, Political, Geopolitical Dimensions and Environmental Consequences of the Dispute between the United Kingdom and Iceland over North Sea Oil Resources and Its Impact on Sustainable Peace in the North Atlantic

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

PhD Candidate of British Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The dispute between the UK and Iceland over the Hatton–Rockall Basin highlights the complexity of maritime conflicts, which involve legal, environmental, political, and geopolitical factors. This study employs qualitative content analysis within a framework that combines geopolitics, positive peace, and hydro-politics to demonstrate that Iceland’s broad continental shelf claims are primarily driven by geopolitical and economic security concerns rather than legal grounds. Climate change intensifies competition by affecting fish stocks and offshore oil and gas exploration. Iceland’s delay in submitting a formal claim to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf has stalled negotiations. The research recommends renewed multilateral diplomacy under international mediation, incorporating environmental commitments into boundary agreements, and utilizing advanced technologies, such as AI-based marine mapping, to clarify boundaries. The findings also offer valuable lessons for Iranian policymakers in managing similar maritime disputes in the Caspian Sea.

Keywords

World Politics

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 October 2025

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