The UN Security Council has failed to back a Bahraini resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after China and Russia used their vetoes on Tuesday (7 April). The draft resolution called for coordinated "defensive measures" to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait.
The resolution received 11 votes in favour. Colombia and Pakistan abstained.
Speaking after the vote, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani expressed his "regret" to the Council for failing to adopt the draft resolution.
"The Council failed to shoulder its responsibility in relation to an illegal conduct that requires decisive action with no delay," he said.
Diplomats previously said the draft resolution had faced resistance from China, Russia and others, and had been toned down from its original form.
Oil prices have surged since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran in late February, triggering a conflict that has lasted more than a month and largely disrupted traffic through the vital shipping route.
Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the council, finalised a draft on Thursday (2 April) authorising “all defensive means necessary” to protect commercial shipping.
Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani had told the council a vote would take place on Friday, “God willing,” adding that Bahrain hoped for a “unified position from this esteemed council," but the vote was postponed.
Backed by Gulf Arab states and the United States, Bahrain had earlier removed an explicit reference to binding enforcement in an effort to overcome objections, particularly from China and Russia.
China has continuously opposed any authorisation of force to reopen the strait. Speaking on Thursday, China’s U.N. envoy Fu Cong said such a move would “legitimise the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and serious consequences.”
A resolution requires at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes from the five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S
Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire in Greece on Sunday, killing two crew members as emergency services continued ef...
U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday as Washington seeks a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and curb Tehran...
Cuba faced another nationwide blackout after its electricity grid failed, deepening an energy crisis tied to fuel shortages and U.S. sanctions....
A tourist aircraft crashed near Peru's UNESCO-listed Nazca Lines on Saturday (1 August), killing all 13 people on board, authorities said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he would hold off on a fresh attack on Iran as long as a deal could be reached quickly to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a major wildfire in Greece on Sunday, killing two crew members as emergency services continued efforts to contain fires fuelled by extreme heat and dry conditions across Europe.
U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday as Washington seeks a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and curb Tehran's nuclear programme, while declining to set a deadline for an agreement.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said wildfires that swept across France were now under control. Authorities warned that risks remained as Greece and Spain continued battling active blazes across parts of Europe.
U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday as Washington seeks a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and curb Tehran's nuclear programme, while declining to set a deadline for an agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Saturday he would hold off on a fresh attack on Iran as long as a deal could be reached quickly to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Yemen's Houthi-run maritime coordination body on Saturday denied reports that it planned to charge commercial ships transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It said no such decision had been made and that passage through the strategic waterway remains free.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait on Friday welcomed an agreement to implement the next phase of the comprehensive peace plan for the Gaza Strip, urging Israel to fully comply with the deal, withdraw its forces.
Iran’s army said it targeted U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait with drone attacks. Tehran said the operations were carried out in retaliation for recent U.S. strikes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment