New York, April 7, 2026: China and Russia blocked a Bahraini-backed United Nations Security Council resolution on Tuesday aimed at coordinating international efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
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The 15-member council voted 11 in favor, with two against and two abstentions, but the resolution failed due to the veto by permanent members. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani confirmed the draft’s rejection, noting that the text had removed any authorization to use force, even defensively.
The vote came hours before US President Donald Trump’s 8 PM (midnight GMT) ultimatum for Iran to reach an agreement or face US military action against its power plants and bridges. The resolution, supported by the US and Gulf oil-exporting nations, aimed to provide a UN-backed framework for securing the strait, which has been effectively blocked by Iran since the February 28 conflict.
Jamal Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s UN ambassador, denounced the blockade as “economic terrorism” affecting the global economy. UAE officials expressed “deep regrets” over the veto, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to all and free navigation preserved.
The vetoes underscore the difficulties in forging international consensus to address escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, even as the waterway remains critical for global energy supplies.
