The United States is taking action in cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states to promote a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at countering Iran’s interference with international waterways.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated on Monday (May 4) in New York that this initiative follows the instructions of President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and is being carried out in full cooperation with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The resolution was jointly drafted by the United States and Bahrain, and co-signed by Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Its goal is to mitigate the tensions in key maritime corridors amidst escalating regional military situations and to protect the safety of blocked seafarers and merchant ships.
Waltz stated at a press conference, “Our efforts at the Security Council are running in parallel with ‘Project Freedom’ but are independent, yet clearly interrelated.”
As this diplomatic effort unfolds, the US military is ensuring maritime security in the strait as part of President Trump’s “Project Freedom” plan. Earlier on Monday, the US Central Command confirmed sinking 6 Iranian fast boats threatening merchant ships.
Waltz emphasized that the resolution aims to hold Iran accountable for openly violating international law, demanding the Iranian regime to cease laying mines, disclose the locations of deployed mines, and cooperate with the United Nations to establish humanitarian corridors. He pointed out that over 80 UN agencies currently rely on Gulf waterways and logistics centers like Dubai to transport relief supplies globally, particularly to the East African region.
“We cannot set a bad precedent: allowing conflicts between two countries to evolve into collective punishment on the global economy,” Waltz stated, stressing that the US is committed to ensuring international waterways are not weaponized.
“No country can lay mines in international waterways or extort passage fees from global shipping,” he said. “These actions are illegal and unacceptable under international law.”
Waltz underscored that these principles apply to all major global waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Gibraltar, Strait of Malacca, and Bering Strait.
The US urges all countries to support the resolution, regardless of their stance on Iran’s nuclear program, as maritime security transcends geopolitical divisions. Although the US is actively promoting this effort, uncertainties remain about whether Russia and China will support it, given that a similar attempt in April was vetoed.
In response, Waltz noted that the current proposal is more precise in scope, focusing on clear violations of international law, which should reduce the chances of opposition. The draft resolution is expected to be submitted to the Security Council for discussion this week.