UNSC passes resolution 13-2 demanding Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The UN Security Council passed a resolution by 13 votes with two abstentions calling for Iran to immediately halt its attacks on Gulf states, declaring that such attacks breach international law and pose a 'serious threat to international peace and security.' The resolution 'demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.' The 13-2 vote — with only Russia and China abstaining rather than vetoing — is diplomatically significant. A veto from either Russia or China would have blocked the resolution; their choice to abstain rather than veto signals both powers are unwilling to provide full diplomatic cover to Iran's attacks on Arab Gulf states, particularly after the Oman Salalah port attack. The resolution lists seven Arab states as victims — including Oman, whose neutrality Iran just violated by attacking Salalah port. The GCC resolution is the most significant multilateral diplomatic action against Iran since the war began, and provides legal and political cover for further sanctions and potential military responses by the Arab Gulf states.