The UN Security Council has failed to adopt a resolution aiming to safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The draft resolution received 11 votes in favor, with two against – Russia and China – and two abstentions from Pakistan and Colombia, falling short due to the vetoes by the two permanent members.
Explaining Russia’s vote, Kremlin said the resolution presented Iranian actions as the sole source of regional tensions while attacks by the United States and Israel were “not mentioned at all.”
China also defended its opposition to the UN resolution, mentioning that the draft “failed to capture the root causes and the full picture of the conflict in a comprehensive and balanced manner.”
Iran said the draft sought “to punish the victim for defending its sovereignty and vital national interests in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, while providing political and legal cover for further unlawful acts by the aggressors.”
The wording of the resolution had been the subject of behind-the-scenes negotiations.
“Over the past few days, we have been trying to convince our friends not to rush the adoption of the draft resolution that could hinder peace efforts to settle the situation in the Persian Gulf, doing this in various formats, including through Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s contacts with our Arab colleagues,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday.
During the UN Security Council meeting on April 7, Russian representatives announced the intention, supported by their Chinese partners, to submit an alternative draft resolution for the immediate termination of hostilities and support for ongoing diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives.
“We hope that this balanced document will be supported by all member states of the UN Security Council,” the statement of the Russian foreign ministry reads.
The draft resolution sought to strongly encourage States interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and to “coordinate efforts” defensively, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation there, including the use of escorts for merchant and commercial vessels.
The draft also demanded that Iran immediately cease all attacks on shipping and any attempt to impede transit or freedom of navigation in the strait.
Kremlin said the problem of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz can only be settled if the aggression against Iran is stopped and if Tehran’s opinion of is taken into consideration. It emphasized that it will actively work with other members of the international community towards practical results in favour of the early restoration of peace in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East as a whole.
At a regular news briefing on Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry said the UN Security Council should act to ease tensions, stop the conflict and resume talks.
“It should not be used to endorse illegal military moves and still less add fuel to the flame,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said when asked about the UN resolution.
