A proposal to deploy forces to protect ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz was not approved by the United Nations Security Council after China and Russia blocked the resolution.
China and Russia, which hold veto power in the Security Council, rejected the decision, arguing that it was mainly intended to increase pressure on Iran.
Although 11 of the 15 members of the council supported the resolution, which was discussed during a meeting in Bahrain, two countries Colombia and Pakistan abstained.
For a Security Council resolution to pass, it must receive at least nine votes in favor and must not be vetoed by any of the five permanent members. Because China and Russia used their veto power, the proposal automatically failed.
The disagreement within the council highlighted the continued support that Russia and China are giving to Iran, even as many countries are facing economic concerns due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Both Russia and China also disagreed with the position of the United States, arguing that the proposed resolution unfairly targeted Iran, which they say had already been subjected to military attacks.
Several countries, particularly those in the Gulf region such as the United Arab Emirates, expressed concern over the failure to adopt the resolution.
In a statement, the UAE’s mission to the United Nations said the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to all and that the right to free navigation in those waters must be respected.
“No country has the right to close this critical route that plays a major role in the global economy,” the statement said, warning that continued disruption could seriously affect the world economy.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, said Moscow supports reopening the Strait but argued that the resolution was one-sided and could undermine diplomatic efforts between the parties involved.
China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, said Beijing understands concerns over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz but believes the resolution ignored the root causes of the conflict and placed pressure on only one side.
