Russia and China veto UN Security Council resolution on reopening Strait of Hormuz

Russia and China, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have blocked a resolution on reopening the Strait of Hormuz initiated by Bahrain.

Source: broadcast of the UN Security Council meeting; Reuters

Details: The draft UN Security Council resolution "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 stated that such measures could include escorting merchant and commercial vessels and also supported efforts to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, it does not mention authorising the use of force against Iran, even for defensive purposes, which had been included in the original version of the document.

Reuters reported the resolution had been made less severe in the hope that China and Russia would not block it.

Eleven permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council voted in favour of the resolution, while China and Russia voted against it. Two other countries, including Pakistan, abstained.

The vote took place a few hours before the deadline set by Donald Trump for Iran to reach an agreement or face the destruction of its power plants and bridges by the US military.

For reference: The UN Security Council consists of 15 members: five permanent members – the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia – and 10 non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms.

As of April 2026, those members are Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.

Only the permanent members have the right to veto any Security Council resolution.

Bahrain will chair the UN Security Council until June.

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