UN expected to vote on watered-down Hormuz resolution that omits military action

After China scuttles resolution greenlighting use of force, Security Council declaws proposal to reopen strait, which now urges ‘defensive’ efforts to ensure ships’ safe passage

The UN Security Council was expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz in a significantly watered-down form, after veto-wielding China opposed authorizing force, diplomats said.

Oil prices have surged since the US and Israel struck Iran at the end of February, unleashing a conflict that has run for more than five weeks and seen Tehran largely close the strait, a vital energy artery.

Efforts by Bahrain, the current chair of the 15-member Council, to secure a resolution have involved multiple drafts seeking to overcome opposition from China, Russia and others. The latest iteration, seen by Reuters, drops any explicit authorization of the use of force.

Instead, the text “strongly encourages States interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz.”

It says such contributions could include “the escort of merchant and commercial vessels,” and endorses efforts “to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Diplomats said the watered-down version has a better chance of passing, but it remains unclear if it will succeed. It requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the US.

Bahrain, which has been backed in its efforts by other Gulf Arab states and Washington, issued a draft on Thursday that would have authorized “all defensive means necessary” to protect commercial shipping, but votes on this were postponed on Friday and Saturday.

Bahrain had previously dropped an explicit reference to binding “enforcement” aimed at ensuring international transit through the strait.

On Thursday, China opposed a resolution authorizing force, saying this would be “legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences.”