WANA (Apr 07) – The United Nations Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, proposed by Bahrain and backed by several Arab states on the Persian Gulf, in a move that could have created a legal basis for the use of military force to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.

 

According to available reports, Russia and China blocked the draft by exercising their veto power. Colombia and Pakistan also abstained, underscoring deep divisions within the Security Council over how to respond to tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The controversial draft text reportedly stated that the Security Council would authorize member states to use “all necessary means,” including military force, to guarantee maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz and to prevent any attempt to block, obstruct, or interfere with international navigation in the area.

 

The draft had reached its fourth version after several weeks of closed-door negotiations and had faced serious opposition from some permanent members from the outset.

 

Diplomatic sources said Russia and China, along with France, opposed any language that could legitimize the use of force against Iran and sought to prevent the Security Council from becoming a vehicle for authorizing military action.

 

Reports indicate that the resolution was designed to create an international legal framework for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open — a passage widely regarded as one of the world’s most sensitive energy chokepoints, where any escalation could directly affect global oil markets and maritime security.