Iran warned the UN Security Council on Friday against taking any “provocative action” ahead of a vote on a draft resolution on a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that such an action would only complicate the situation.
“Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The proposal comes amid rising tensions over maritime security amid a conflict in West Asia that has seen severe disruption to energy trade due to the virtual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical point for global energy trade.
All about the UN Security Council vote on Hormuz
The UN Security Council is set to vote on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain that seeks to allow member states to use “all necessary defensive means” to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asian conflict.
Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Minister of Bahrain, during his remarks at the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday: “The Kingdom of Bahrain submitted to your esteemed Council a draft resolution on Iran’s illegal and unauthorized attempt to control international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and submitted to the Council a proposal that requires a decisive response to such actions, which are irresponsible and irresponsible to the people of the world.”
Bahrain, which currently chairs the Security Council.
According to Al Jazeera, the draft resolution went through four revisions after Russia and China opposed language that specifically called for the use of force to reopen the strategic waterway.
The vote was originally scheduled for Friday, but was later postponed because the United Nations observes Good Friday as a public holiday. Now, the vote is likely to take place on Saturday, sources close to the development told AP.
The development comes as diplomatic ties between Washington and Tehran continue amid conflict in West Asia following joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran on February 28 that killed Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Tehran retaliated by attacking Israel and US assets, disrupting international energy markets in several countries in Persian Gulf and disrupted global economic waterways.
After the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was named the new Supreme Leader of Iran by the country’s Assembly of Experts.
