War in the Middle East: Russia and China veto UN resolution on clearing

The vote came a few hours before Donald Trump’s ultimatum expired, giving Iran until Tuesday night to unblock navigation in this crucial waterway.

On Tuesday, April 7, Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz and encouraging ship escorts. Gulf countries “regretted” this vote through the voice of Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoullatif ben Rachid al-Zayani. The draft resolution, already softened to avoid a veto, was prepared by Bahrain and supported by these countries and the United States.

The text allowed any state or coalition of states to use “all necessary means” to ensure ship security and prevent the strait from being blocked. However, this idea faced strong objections, especially from France, Russia, and China. The addition last week of a formulation stating that the means used could only be “defensive” had overcome French opposition. Out of the fifteen countries that vote in the UN Security Council, the text finally received 11 votes in favor, two against (Russia and China), and two abstentions (Pakistan and Colombia).

Moscow and Beijing are “sending the wrong signal to the world” that threats to navigation routes do not provoke “decisive action by the organization responsible for maintaining international peace and security,” said Abdoullatif ben Rachid al-Zayani on behalf of Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.

The rejection of the resolution “does not prevent the United States from continuing to act in legitimate defense and to defend our allies and partners. And President Trump will continue to take necessary actions to defend our people and the free world,” reacted US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz just after the vote.