UNSC to vote Saturday on Bahrain-led resolution on Strait of Hormuz

The UN Security Council will vote on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain Saturday on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, even as permanent members China and Russia voiced opposition to earlier versions of the text that would have allowed use of force by countries.

The draft Security Council resolution affirms that the Strait of Hormuz is open for all transit passage. No state has the right to close or control it.

It authorises States to take "exclusively defensive measures" to secure transit passage and deter any acts to impede international navigation through the Strait.


It also provides a clear legal basis for all States to mobilise and support safe passage while following international law and international humanitarian law. The draft resolution says that countries using this authorisation must notify and report to the UN, ensuring transparency and adherence to international law. It creates a monitoring mechanism with monthly reporting by the UN Secretary-General so the UN Security Council can take further action based on new developments, the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the UN said.

Bahrain, supported by the GCC and Jordan, has proposed the Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, which will be put up for a vote in the 15-nation Security Council on Saturday. Bahrain is currently the President of the Council for the month of April.

It is learnt that an initial version of the draft resolution had language that would have allowed countries "to use all necessary means" in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to ensure passage in the crucial chokepoint.

However, veto-wielding permanent members Russia, China and France are understood to have opposed approval of the use of force. The final draft now has language that states are authorised to take "exclusively defensive measures" to secure transit passage.

The Council was originally scheduled to vote on the resolution on Friday, but the UN headquarters is closed on the occasion of Good Friday. The vote is scheduled for 11 am (local time) Saturday.

Last month, India had co-sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council that condemned in the strongest terms the "egregious" attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan and demanded immediate cessation of all attacks by Tehran while denouncing its threats of closure of the maritime chokehold the Strait of Hormuz.

The Security Council, under the Presidency of the United States in March, had adopted the resolution with 13 votes in favour, none against and abstentions by veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia.

India cosponsored the Bahrain-led resolution along with over 130 nations including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Yemen and Zambia.

The resolution, which had a total of 135 co-sponsors, reiterated its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

It condemned in the "strongest terms the egregious attacks" by Iran against the territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan and determined that such acts constitute a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.

The resolution demanded immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against the GCC countries and Jordan, and that Tehran "immediately and unconditionally" cease from any provocation or threats to neighbouring States, including the use of proxies.

It reaffirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, particularly around critical maritime routes, and takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to "defend their vessels from attacks and provocations, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.