WASHINGTON (MNN); Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, while Pakistan chose to abstain from voting.
The resolution, which went through six revisions during intense negotiations to bridge differences among council members, secured 11 votes in favour, two against, and two abstentions. Despite majority support, the measure failed to pass due to vetoes exercised by Russia and China as permanent members of the 15-nation council.
Countries voting in favour included Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Panama, Somalia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Russia and China opposed the resolution, while Pakistan and Colombia abstained.
The draft resolution, sponsored by the United States and backed by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, called for de-escalation in the region and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical maritime route through which a significant share of global oil supplies is transported.
The waterway has effectively been closed by Iran following the recent conflict involving the United States and Israel, raising concerns over global energy security and regional stability.
Diplomatic sources revealed that multiple rounds of negotiations led to six amendments in the draft text, aimed at addressing concerns of various member states. These included provisions related to regional security guarantees and acknowledgment of broader geopolitical tensions in the Gulf.
However, Moscow and Beijing remained unconvinced, arguing that the resolution did not adequately address the root causes of the crisis or reflect the complex regional dynamics, ultimately leading to their decision to block its adoption.
