A vote by the UN Security Council on a revised resolution addressing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is anticipated, though its ultimate success remains unclear after substantial alterations to the original proposal.
The vote is slated for 11:00 a.m. (1500 GMT), just hours before a deadline set by Donald Trump for Iran to reach an agreement or face potential military strikes on critical infrastructure.
The current draft of the resolution is a watered-down version of earlier iterations. It no longer contains any authorization for the use of force, even for defensive purposes, a concession made to prevent rejection by permanent members with veto power.
This initiative was initially championed by Bahrain, with backing from the United States and other Gulf nations, aiming to secure a mandate that could permit military intervention to reopen the vital waterway. However, opposition from permanent council members including France, Russia, and China led to multiple revisions and postponements.
The modified text now advocates for states to engage in coordinated, defensive efforts to ensure safe navigation, including the escort of commercial vessels, rather than explicitly sanctioning military action.
Furthermore, it demands that Iran immediately cease attacks on merchant ships and halt any actions that impede passage through the Strait. It also calls for an end to assaults on civilian facilities, such as water, oil, and gas infrastructure.
The vote occurs amidst heightened tensions following Iran's obstruction of the strait, which followed military actions by the United States and Israel on February 28, impacting global energy markets. French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont has expressed support for a framework of "defensive response," while observers suggest the resolution represents a compromise between various international interests.
According to Daniel Forti of the International Crisis Group, the resolution might still serve as a diplomatic condemnation of Iran's actions, even without military authorization.
Nonetheless, the potential for a veto from Russia or China persists, given their alignment with Iran and concerns about escalating the conflict. Historically, the UN Security Council rarely authorizes the use of force, with significant precedents including the coalition's response during the 1990 Gulf War and NATO's intervention in Libya in 2011.
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