China, Russia veto UNSC resolution on reopening of Strait of Hormuz

New York (Web Desk): Russia and China have vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution aimed at ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key international waterway critical for global trade, according to Arab media reports.

The resolution, submitted by Bahrain, was intended to authorize measures that would guarantee the free flow of maritime traffic in the strategically important strait.

The matter was brought before the Security Council for voting amid rising regional tensions and concerns over the security of international shipping lanes.

During the voting process, 11 out of 15 Council members supported the resolution, signaling broad international backing.

However, Russia and China, both permanent members of the Council, exercised their veto powers, blocking the resolution despite the majority support. Two other member states abstained from voting.

Had the resolution been adopted, it would have given UN member states the legal authority to take “necessary measures” to restore and maintain navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

In diplomatic and international legal terms, these measures could include military intervention or other coercive actions to secure the passage of ships.

Russia and China argued that the proposed resolution amounted to external interference in regional affairs, justifying their veto.

Analysts note that the veto underscores the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments pass.

The outcome highlights the diplomatic divide in the UN Security Council, where permanent members can block actions even when a clear majority supports them, reflecting broader global power dynamics in addressing security threats in strategic regions.