Western diplomats revealed that members of the UN Security Council began intensive deliberations today, Tuesday, on a new draft resolution supported by the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain. This diplomatic move aims to confront Iran's continuous threats to commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with the possibility of imposing strict economic sanctions on Tehran.
The draft resolution includes provisions that could pave the way for authorizing the use of military force if Iranian attacks targeting international waterways continue. These moves come amidst escalating field tensions that have re-highlighted the seriousness of the situation in the global energy artery, threatening the collapse of fragile understandings that have recently prevailed.
Last Monday witnessed a dangerous field escalation that reflected the extent of the conflict between Washington and Tehran for control over the vital waterway. Sources reported that US forces destroyed six small Iranian boats, while an oil port in the United Arab Emirates was subjected to Iranian missile shelling, causing damage.
The current diplomatic efforts in the corridors of the United Nations represent a shift in the American strategy, which in recent months relied on unilateral action outside the framework of the international organization. Washington had previously launched military strikes without UN authorization and pressured its allies to join independent naval patrols.
The previous American approach raised widespread reservations from some international partners who expressed concerns about sliding into an open conflict with unresolved outcomes. Legal concerns also emerged regarding the legitimacy of military operations outside the umbrella of the Security Council, prompting the US administration to return to the collective diplomatic path.
Concurrently with the move in the Security Council, Washington launched an operation called 'Operation Freedom' aimed at securing the passage of ships and tankers stranded in the region. This operation seeks to break the mutual naval blockade and ensure the flow of global energy supplies that have been directly affected by recent tensions.
The United States also distributed a new proposal to its international partners aimed at forming a multinational naval coalition under the name 'Maritime Freedom Coalition'. This proposed coalition aims to build a sustainable security framework for the post-conflict period in the Middle East and ensure the permanent opening of the strait.
Russia and China had previously obstructed an earlier Bahraini draft resolution supported by the US, claiming it legitimized direct military action against Iran. However, the new draft adopts more cautious and balanced language to avoid a veto, while maintaining the strictness of the proposed measures against Iranian violations.
The new draft resolution is based on Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, which grants the Security Council the authority to impose coercive measures starting with sanctions and potentially extending to military intervention. The text condemns Iranian actions aimed at obstructing navigation or imposing illegal fees on the passage of ships in international waterways.
The resolution demands that Tehran immediately cease laying naval mines and disclose the locations of existing mines to facilitate their removal and secure the waterway. It also emphasizes the necessity of not interfering with the legitimate exercise of international navigation rights guaranteed by laws and treaties signed between states.
On the humanitarian side, the draft resolution calls on Iranian authorities to cooperate fully with UN efforts to establish a safe humanitarian corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. This demand comes after reports of disruptions in the access of fertilizer shipments, essential goods, and humanitarian aid due to escalating military tensions in the region.
The UN Secretary-General is scheduled to submit a detailed report within thirty days on Iran's compliance with the measures contained in the resolution if adopted. The Security Council will hold a subsequent meeting to consider additional steps and potential sanctions if Tehran is found not to comply with international demands.
Washington seeks to conclude negotiations on the final draft by May 8, in preparation for a formal vote early next week. Despite this American urgency, Russia and China are still considering a competing text that could prolong discussions within the Council's corridors.
These efforts coincide with moves led by France and Britain to establish a separate naval mission involving about thirty countries aimed at securing safe passage in coordination with Iran. Diplomatic documents confirm that these initiatives aim to integrate international efforts to build a strong and independent maritime security structure in the region.
The new draft resolution adopts a cautious approach by operating under Chapter VII, avoiding explicit language for the use of force while keeping all options open.
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US-Bahraini Draft Resolution in Security Council to Impose Sanctions on Iran and Secure the Strait of Hormuz