Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, according to La Jornada and NDTV. The vote took place in New York, marking a major setback for international efforts to restore stable navigation in the strategic waterway.
The resolution had been revised to remove language permitting the use of “all necessary means,” including military force, to ensure safe passage through the strait, as reported by Global News Canada and NDTV. The softened wording reflected diplomatic compromises following pressure from Gulf countries seeking free transit.
Japan Times notes that the veto came after days of negotiations involving Gulf states advocating for the reopening. The move exemplifies ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Hormuz Strait, which sees a significant share of the world's oil shipments.
Al-Monitor states the resolution was supported by 11 Security Council members, with two votes against from Russia and China, alongside two abstentions. Bahrain, a Gulf Cooperation Council member, expressed disappointment at the veto, which blocks formal UN backing to secure navigation rights in the area.
Attention now turns to whether the Security Council will attempt alternative diplomatic initiatives or if Gulf states and their allies will pursue unilateral or regional measures to ensure stability in the Hormuz Strait. The blockage prolongs uncertainty over a waterway critical for global energy supplies.
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UN Security Council
Strait of Hormuz
