Which of the following waters are not considered to be part of the U.S. territorial claims?

The assertion that waters beyond 12 nautical miles are not considered part of U.S. territorial claims is accurate because, under international law, a nation's territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles from its baseline, which is typically drawn from the low-water line along the coast. Beyond this limit, the waters are considered international waters or high seas, where no single nation has sovereignty. Therefore, these areas do not fall under the jurisdiction of the United States or any other country, making them distinct from territorial claims.

In contrast, inland waters, internal waters, and custom waters are all areas where the U.S. has specific territorial claims or rights. Inland and internal waters refer to bodies of water that are entirely surrounded by a state's land, and the U.S. maintains sovereignty over them. Custom waters can also refer to areas where a nation has recognized rights or specific regulations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for interpreting maritime law and sovereignty effectively.