New York (Web Desk/Agencies): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to vote on a resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, just hours before the deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the strategically important waterway.
The proposal, put forward by Bahrain with backing from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Jordan, urges nations using the strait for commercial shipping to coordinate defensive measures to protect vessels, including providing escort services. It also demands that Iran immediately stop attacks on commercial ships and civilian infrastructure, encompassing oil, gas, and water facilities.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime corridor, responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption and a quarter of oil transported by sea.
Tensions have intensified since US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets on February 28, prompting Iran to retaliate against Israel and Gulf nations hosting US forces, including reported assaults on commercial vessels and the placement of naval mines.
While Iran has permitted passage for ships it deems “non-hostile,” the disruptions have sparked global concern.
The US and Israel have also struck Iranian maritime assets, causing substantial damage. President Trump has called for a multinational naval coalition to secure the strait, though many allies, such as France, Germany, Japan, and the UK, have taken a more cautious approach. France is exploring a potential international mission, while the UK convened talks with 40 nations to discuss forming a coalition to ensure safe passage.
Discussions over the resolution have been tense. Earlier drafts referenced Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which could have authorized the use of force, but objections from China, Russia, and certain European members resulted in its removal.
The current draft encourages defensive coordination that is “commensurate with the circumstances,” upholds international law, and includes a reporting mechanism.
It calls on the UN Secretary-General to provide a written report within seven days of adoption and then every 30 days, outlining any attacks or provocations by Iran against merchant and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including actions that threaten navigational rights.
For the resolution to pass, it needs at least nine affirmative votes and no veto from any permanent member. China and Russia have warned that the wording could implicitly allow force, while France and the UK have emphasized a strictly defensive approach.
Experts say the resolution carries both practical and symbolic weight. Militarily, most GCC nations rely on US support to safeguard the strait. Politically, bringing the issue before the Security Council internationalizes the dispute and increases pressure on Tehran.
Continued interference in the waterway could drive up global energy prices and disrupt commercial shipping, including liquefied natural gas supplies to Asia and Europe.
Tuesday’s vote, coming just hours before President Trump’s self-imposed deadline, highlights the global focus on the Strait of Hormuz and the high stakes involved.