The United States urged the United Nations on Tuesday to condemn Iran for repeated attacks and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed for swift international action to restore freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.
US officials and Gulf partners presented a draft Security Council resolution. The proposal condemned Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels, threats to shipping, laying of sea mines, and attempts to impose illegal tolls. Rubio stated that Iran continued to hold the world’s economy hostage.
The draft resolution demanded that Iran immediately cease all attacks and threats against ships. It required Iran to disclose the locations of all mines it laid and to cooperate with clearance operations. Moreover the text called for Iran to stop obstructing passage and to support the creation of a humanitarian corridor for aid and essential goods.
The United States co-drafted the measure with Bahrain and received input from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz expressed confidence that the focused proposal would secure broad support. Negotiations started in closed sessions.
The resolution invoked Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. It warned that failure by Iran to comply could lead to effective measures, including sanctions. This approach proved stronger than a previous resolution that Russia and China vetoed last month.
Rubio called the upcoming vote a real test for the United Nations. He urged China and Russia not to block the measure again. Fresh exchanges of fire occurred in the area even as a fragile ceasefire remained in place.
The Strait of Hormuz carries about one-fifth of global oil trade. Iran’s actions raised serious concerns over energy prices and international supply chains. No immediate response came from Iranian officials on the new draft.
