UNITED NATIONS: China and Russia on Tuesday vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The Bahrain-sponsored resolution failed to pass despite securing 11 votes in favour, with Pakistan and Colombia abstaining, according to the vote outcome.
Bahrain, DR Congo, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama, Somalia, the United Kingdom, and the United States voted in favour of the resolution.
Bahrain’s foreign minister told the UN Security Council that Iran has ‘no right’ to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The vote came hours before US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants and bridges.
On Tuesday morning, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die” in Iran on Tuesday if the country does not heed his ultimatum to agree to a peace deal.
China and Russia vetoed the Security Council resolution. There were 11 votes in favour, with abstentions from Colombia and Pakistan.
The text “strongly encourages” member states to “coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances,” to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The resolution also “reaffirms” the rights of member states “to defend their vessels from attacks and provocations,” in accordance with international law.
Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel launched air strikes on the country on February 28, rattling financial markets while driving up the cost of oil.
A limited number of vessels linked to China, Russia, Pakistan and other countries have since been permitted to cross the strait, which typically carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil.
Trump has criticised US allies for not deploying warships to protect the vital strait, while also claiming it will open up “naturally” when the war ends.
Tuesday’s resolution was drafted by Bahrain, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, in coordination with Gulf Cooperation Council member states and Jordan.
