HIGHDIPLOMATICVERIFIED
UNSC Hormuz vote postponed to next week — Iran warns against 'provocative action'
·United Nations, New York
Bahrain postponed a UNSC vote on a resolution to open the Strait of Hormuz; it will now be held next week, two UN diplomats told AP. Iran FM Araghchi had warned the Council against any 'provocative action.' Iran has effectively blockaded the strait since February 28.
The UN Security Council vote on a proposal to authorize defensive force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed from its expected Saturday date. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a formal warning ahead of the vote: 'Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation.'
Iran views any UNSC authorization of force in the strait as an existential threat to its primary leverage over the conflict — the blockade has pushed oil prices above $100/barrel. The UK has been leading a 40-nation coalition on Hormuz, notably without US participation. Trump had separately stated that 'with a little more time' the US could 'easily open the Hormuz Strait.' The GCC had called for UNSC force authorization earlier on April 3.
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Actor responses
Trump separately claimed the US could 'easily open the Hormuz Strait' — Washington not participating in the UK-led 40-nation coalition but has not stated its position on the UNSC vote.
Iran is expected to oppose any UNSC authorization of force in the Strait of Hormuz, which it views as leverage in the conflict.
Sources