Russia, China, and France Block UN Security Council Resolution on Hormuz

Moscow (ANTARA) - Russia, China, and France are reported to have blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution that would permit the use of force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. According to The New York Times, citing diplomatic sources and senior UN officials, the draft resolution includes a clause authorising member states to use various means to guarantee freedom of navigation and prevent attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic. The proposal, submitted by Bahrain and supported by Gulf states, has undergone its fourth revision following weeks of closed-door negotiations. An official vote on the resolution is scheduled for Friday, though it remains uncertain whether its supporters can secure backing from Russia, China, and France, which hold veto rights. Diplomatic sources also indicate that differences of opinion exist not only among the permanent members but also among the 10 non-permanent Security Council members. On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched strikes against targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran subsequently retaliated by attacking Israeli territory as well as US military facilities in the Middle East. This escalation has triggered a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf region to global markets, which is also pressuring energy exports and production while driving up prices in international markets.