Iran’s allies, China and Russia, have vetoed a UN Security Council resolution intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The draft resolution, sponsored by Bahrain, “strongly encourages” nations to coordinate defensive actions to ensure safe passage through the waterway, which includes the escorting of commercial vessels.
This version of the text was a diluted form of the original proposal, which had the potential to authorise nations to employ force to guarantee safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Eleven nations cast their votes in favor of the resolution, while two abstained and two opposed it.
US Ambassador Michael Waltz criticised China and Russia for their opposition, accusing them of aligning with “a regime that seeks to intimidate the Gulf into submission.”
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya commented that the resolution would create a “dangerous precedent” for international law and peace efforts.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani expressed disappointment following the veto, stating that the council “failed to fulfill its responsibility in the face of an unlawful act.”
Iranian Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani described the resolution as “one-sided” and countered US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iranian infrastructure should the strait remain closed.
Trump confirms US prepared for heavy strikes on Iran
Earlier, the United States President Donald Trump confirmed during a phone conversation with Fox News that the US is ready to conduct heavy strikes on Iran if the 8:00 PM deadline is not met on Tuesday.
Donald Trump promised during the telephonic conversation that 8:00 PM would happen.
He issued another warning on the social media platform Truth Social today, saying that a ‘whole civilisation will die tonight’.
Read more: ‘A whole civilisation will die tonight,’ warns Trump on Truthsocial
