The United Nations Security Council failed to pass a draft resolution aimed at forcing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday after Russia and China vetoed it.
Russia and China were the two sole votes against the resolution, which Bahrain proposed in partnership with other Gulf States. Pakistan and Colombia abstained, and 11 nations supported the measure. It would have passed under nine votes, but Russia and China each hold veto power as permanent members of the council.
Displeased by the outcome, Bahrain published a statement on behalf of itself, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
“The council failed to shoulder its responsibility in relation to an illegal conduct that requires decisive action with no delay,” Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani said after the vote.
“We had hoped that the draft resolution would present a step towards a permanent solution that would ensure navigational freedom in the Strait of Hormuz as a national waterway that no country has the right to obstruct … according to international law,” he added.
The Middle Eastern nations, most of which are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, sponsored the draft resolution to demand that Iran halt all attacks against vessels in the Strait of Hormuz as the conflict persists. The resolution also called for the cessation of Iranian attacks against civilian infrastructure, such as water desalination plants.
Iran targeted Kuwait’s energy infrastructure and government offices late last week as the United States and Israel intensify their air campaign against the Islamic regime.
The draft resolution was watered down after going through multiple revisions due to opposition from Russia and China. Previous versions called for the use of force against Iran to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a demand in line with the U.S. position. It was ultimately revised to reflect a more diplomatic approach to the situation.
The draft “strongly encourages States interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz, including through the escort of merchant and commercial vessels, and to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The U.N. Security Council vote came hours before the 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline imposed by President Donald Trump, who suggested that Iranian civilization as a whole will be destroyed if no peace deal is made. The threat was intended to force Iranian officials to the negotiating table, but as of now, it appears the tactic may not work as planned.
“The power of a ‘CIVILIZED’ nation’s culture, logic, and faith in its righteous cause will undoubtedly prevail over the logic of brute force,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei posted on X, alluding to Trump’s deadline. “A nation that has every faith in the righteousness of its path shall harness all its capacities and capabilities to safeguard its rights and legitimate interests.”
Trump is eager to bring an end to the war as global energy prices continue soaring because of the Strait of Hormuz’s prolonged closure. The conflict passed its five-week mark over the weekend, about the amount of time Trump has said Operation Epic Fury will last.
TRUMP WARNS IRAN’S ‘WHOLE CIVILIZATION WILL DIE TONIGHT’ UNLESS DEAL IS STRUCK WITH US
The U.N. issued a pointed statement ahead of the deadline, suggesting that Trump will be running afoul of international law if he follows through on his threat.
“Even wars have rules,” the global body said on social media. “The Geneva Conventions protect civilians in conflict and help ensure assistance reaches those in need, without discrimination.”
