On Tuesday, May 5th, the United States officially collaborated with Gulf allies such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar to submit a new draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council, demanding that Iran immediately cease attacking commercial ships, planting mines, and engaging in illegal toll activities in the Strait of Hormuz.
This draft resolution, once approved, will lead to international sanctions against Iran if they do not comply and could potentially authorize military action under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, addressing a White House press briefing, emphasized that the proposal aims to uphold the security of international waterways and sees this as a test of the effectiveness of international organizations.
Rubio stated, “I believe this is a real test for the United Nations… testing its functionality as an operational body.”
“All we are asking them to do is condemn these behaviors, urge Iran to stop ship attacks, clear mines, and allow humanitarian aid to pass through,” Rubio said.
He added, “For both China and Russia, I have always argued that passing this resolution and pressuring Iran aligns with their interests, as they also do not wish to see international waterways, especially the Strait of Hormuz, closed, causing economic chaos for dozens of countries worldwide.”
He also criticized Iran’s attempt to close this “global vital waterway” as a continued “hostage of the global economy.”
In a bid for support and to avoid a repeat of the veto by China and Russia last month, the US has made “adjustments” to the text in the new draft resolution, steering clear of explicitly authorizing the “use of force” and focusing on sanctions instead.
However, since the draft resolution still operates under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, there remains a legal space for taking military action to maintain peace.
The draft specifically demands Iran to disclose the locations of all mines and assist in the clearing work, while also supporting the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to restore the transport of crucial materials such as industrial metals, rare gases, and fertilizers.
Before the war, this waterway carried about 20% of global crude oil shipments, and its prolonged blockade has had significant impacts on global energy supply and prices.
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told reporters on Monday that he believes this new, narrower proposal will garner support from the Security Council without provoking opposition or veto from Iran’s allies.
A Security Council diplomat also told the Associated Press that the US has been making serious efforts to persuade China not to veto the resolution, including contacts at the highest diplomatic levels. Meanwhile, the US and China are preparing for President Trump’s visit to China next week to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.