New York: The UN Security Council has unexpectedly postponed a vote originally scheduled for Friday concerning a draft resolution aimed at authorizing “defensive” force to protect international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The 15-member body, which was set to consider the measure brought forward by Bahrain, shifted its schedule late Thursday night.
According to diplomatic sources, the delay was attributed to the United Nations observing Good Friday as a public holiday—a scheduling conflict that was known when the vote was initially proposed. No revised date for the vote has been announced.
The proposed resolution is a critical response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has seen Iran effectively restrict traffic through the vital maritime corridor. The latest draft, which has undergone several amendments to secure wider support, seeks to authorize member states—acting unilaterally or through voluntary multinational partnerships—to employ “all defensive means necessary and commensurate with the circumstances” to deter obstructions to navigation.
The draft aims to apply to the strait and adjacent waters for a minimum period of six months. Efforts to pass the resolution have faced significant hurdles, particularly regarding potential vetoes from Russia and China. Both nations have previously expressed concerns that authorizing the use of force could legitimize escalation rather than fostering de-escalation.
Bahrain’s UN Ambassador, Jamal Alrowaiei, has emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the international community cannot accept “economic terrorism” impacting global energy supplies. However, the resolution faces an uncertain path, with major powers divided over the appropriate response to Tehran’s actions. As the standoff continues, the global economy remains sensitive to the instability in one of the world’s most critical oil transit arteries.
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