UN Security Council to Vote on Strait of Hormuz Shipping Protection amid Rising Tensions
The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a Bahraini-led resolution aimed at safeguarding commercial shipping through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, diplomats confirmed Friday. However, China has voiced strong opposition to any measure authorizing the use of force, raising questions about the resolution’s passage.
Diplomatic sources said the Council’s 15 members will convene Saturday morning for the vote, delayed from Friday due to a UN holiday. The vote comes as international shipping risks soar following recent strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which have significantly disrupted traffic through the vital Gulf waterway.
The draft resolution, finalized by Bahrain, currently chairing the Security Council, would allow “all defensive measures necessary” to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, emphasized the urgent need for a unified international stance, describing Iran’s recent actions as an “unlawful attempt to control navigation” that threatens global trade and maritime security.
Bahrain, supported by Gulf Arab allies and Washington, previously removed explicit enforcement language in the draft to address objections from major powers, including Russia and China. The resolution proposes protective measures for at least six months or until further Council decisions.
China’s UN envoy, Fu Cong, argued that authorizing force would “legitimize unlawful and indiscriminate actions, escalating tensions and triggering severe consequences.” Earlier procedural efforts to finalize the draft encountered opposition from China, France, and Russia, but a version is now ready for the vote.
The resolution requires at least nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the Security Council’s five permanent members,Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States, to pass.
Meanwhile, international coordination continues to ensure maritime safety. The League of Arab States voiced full support for Bahrain’s initiative, and a high-level meeting in London convened more than 40 nations to discuss reopening and securing commercial shipping lanes in the Strait. Analysts warn that continued disruption could have far-reaching effects on global trade routes and energy logistics.
