Iran on Friday cautioned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) against taking any “provocative action” ahead of a vote on a draft resolution to authorise a force to protect shipping through the , warning that such a move would only complicate the situation.
“Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the United Nations Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
The proposal comes amid rising tensions over maritime security in West Asia, where energy trade has been severely disrupted by the virtual blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy flows.
All about the UNSC vote on Hormuz
The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain that seeks to authorise member states to use “all defensive means necessary” to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain’s foreign minister, said during a UNSC meeting on Thursday: “The Kingdom of Bahrain submitted a draft resolution to this esteemed council on Iran’s unlawful and unjustified attempt to control international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The draft requires a decisive response to actions that are irresponsible and illegitimate — actions that threaten the interests of nations and peoples around the world.”
currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council.
According to Al Jazeera, the draft resolution has undergone four revisions after Russia and China opposed language explicitly calling for the use of force to reopen the strategic waterway.
The vote was initially scheduled for Friday but was postponed as the United Nations observes Good Friday as a public holiday. It is now likely to take place on Saturday, sources familiar with the development told the Associated Press.
The development comes as diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran continue amid the ongoing war in West Asia. The tensions escalated following joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran on 28 February, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In retaliation, Tehran targeted Israel and US assets across several Gulf countries, disrupting key waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.
Following death, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was appointed Iran’s new supreme leader by the country’s Assembly of Experts.
