PARIS: Bahrain has circulated a revised draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council on safeguarding commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, softening its language by removing an explicit reference to binding enforcement.
The new text still authorises states to use “all necessary means” to protect navigation but avoids invoking Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which would have allowed sanctions or military action. Diplomats said Russia and China, allies of Iran, were likely to veto any resolution tied directly to Chapter VII.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for nearly one fifth of global oil supplies, has seen traffic slow to a near halt after Iranian forces struck vessels during its conflict with the United States and Israel. Gulf economies depend heavily on the waterway, making its security a pressing issue.
Bahrain’s initial draft, backed by Washington and other Gulf Arab states, faced strong opposition. The revised version instead encourages voluntary multinational coalitions to escort merchant ships and coordinate defensive measures.
The resolution would authorise states to act alone or in groups to ensure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Diplomats said negotiations continue, with a tentative plan to put the text to a vote on Thursday.
