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
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Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a ceasefire, a senior U.S. official has said. Hezbollah has released a statement saying Israel must leave southern Lebanon. Israel has said it agrees to the ceasefire, but has said its armed forces won't leave Lebanon and will resume hostilities if attacked.
Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has said that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to ships again, citing alleged violations of a ceasefire agreement by the U.S. and Israel. Lebanon has said Israeli strikes killed 16 people on Saturday.
Oil tankers began moving through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday as an interim agreement between the United States and Iran came into effect, marking a tentative de-escalation in a conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and heightened regional tensions.
U.S. President Donald Trump sought a deal with Iran "out of deperation," Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said, in a statement on social media. Khamenei added that he himself "held a different view," to Trump, but allowed the agreement after receiving assurances from Iran's President.
Iran and the United States have signed a memorandum outlining a proposed 60-day ceasefire and a roadmap for negotiations on sanctions, nuclear restrictions and regional security issues.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
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