DPA
New York
A UN resolution aimed at protecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz failed in the Security Council on Tuesday after Russia and China vetoed the plans.
Eleven countries represented on the body voted in favour of the draft text, proposed by Bahrain, while two members abstained. Under the draft, affected states would have been asked to coordinate their defensive measures to contribute to maritime safety, while Iran would have been expected to cease its attacks on merchant and commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping through the narrow waterway, which is responsible for a fifth of global oil and gas exports, has effectively come to a standstill after Tehran threatened to attack vessels in response to the US-Israeli war launched on February 28.
The blockade has sent fuel prices soaring across the globe and led some countries, particularly in Asia, to introduce restrictions on consumption and ration supplies.
A deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or else face even worse bombardment is set to expire later on Tuesday, after he repeatedly issued – and delayed – similar threats. The wording of the resolution has been the subject of behind-the-scenes negotiations for days.
An earlier version of the document had explicitly referred to Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, which grants the Security Council the authority to take measures ranging from sanctions to the use of military force.
Representatives from Russia and China, among others, had reportedly opposed this. Bahrain expressed regret over the outcome, saying “the council failed to shoulder its responsibility in relation to an illegal conduct that requires decisive action with no delay.” “Any inaction in this regard will undermine the credibility of the council and emboldens to commit more violations.” The US representative accused Iran of “taking the Strait of Hormuz hostage, and with it, attempting to take the world’s economy hostage.” “Well, colleagues, that may be its last act. We’ll see,” he added.
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