HIGHDIPLOMATICVERIFIED
UNSC Hormuz vote postponed again to next week — China opposes, resolution revised to defensive measures
·United Nations, New York, United States
The UN Security Council postponed a second time the Bahrain-led resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, now expected to vote next week. China made clear opposition to any force authorization. The resolution was revised from 'use of force' to 'defensive measures' to protect commercial shipping — a significant weakening of the original Gulf-backed text. Russia and China remain obstacles to adoption.
The UN Security Council postponed its vote on the Bahrain-led Hormuz resolution for the second time, pushing it to next week after failing to proceed on Saturday April 4. China, a veto-wielding permanent member, made clear its opposition to authorizing force. The draft text was revised from an original Gulf-supported 'use of force' framework to a softer 'defensive measures to protect commercial shipping' language in an attempt to win broader support. The Hindu reported the postponement of the Saturday vote. Reuters confirmed the vote was now expected next week. The postponement leaves the Hormuz blockade without international legal authorization for countermeasures, while China's position signals that the P5 remains divided on how to respond to Iran's control of the strait.
UNSCHormuzvoteGulf statesforce authorizationdiplomatic
Actor responses
US backing the UNSC resolution to authorize force to reopen Hormuz; vote proceeding Saturday after Friday delay.
Iran has previously warned against any 'provocative' UNSC resolution on Hormuz and threatened escalation if force is authorized.
Sources
T2Timesnow / Euronews8% reliability