The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a Bahraini-led resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The vote, involving all 15 Council members, has been postponed to Saturday morning due to a UN holiday on Friday.
This development comes amid heightened tensions following strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran at the end of February, which have escalated conflict and effectively closed this vital shipping route, causing oil prices to surge.
Bahrain, currently chairing the Security Council, has finalized a draft resolution authorizing “all defensive means necessary” to safeguard commercial vessels. Earlier, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani had anticipated a Friday vote, expressing hope for a unified Council stance.
In an effort to gain broader support, Bahrain, backed by Gulf Arab states and Washington, removed explicit language on binding enforcement from the draft to address objections from Russia and China. The resolution proposes authorization for at least six months, or until the Council decides otherwise.
However, China’s UN envoy Fu Cong voiced strong opposition to any authorization of force, warning that it would legitimize unlawful and indiscriminate violence, potentially escalating the conflict with serious consequences.
A fourth draft of the resolution underwent a silence procedure for approval until Thursday noon GMT, but the silence was broken by China, France, and Russia. Subsequently, a finalized text was prepared, allowing the vote to proceed.
For the resolution to pass, it requires at least nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
Al Zayani condemned Iran’s actions as an unlawful attempt to control international navigation through the Strait, emphasizing the threat to global interests and the need for a decisive response. The League of Arab States, represented by Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, expressed support for Bahrain’s initiative.
Meanwhile, Britain hosted a meeting with over 40 countries to discuss reopening and securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, also backing Bahrain’s resolution efforts.
In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to continue military actions but did not specify plans to reopen the strait, fueling concerns about the US role in ensuring maritime security and contributing to further oil price increases.
