Russia, China, and France Reject Plan for Military Force Use in Strait of Hormuz

Russia, China, and France are reportedly obstructing 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 employ various means to ensure 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 entered 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 power. Diplomatic sources also indicate that differences in views extend 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 attacks on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran subsequently retaliated by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East. This escalation has triggered a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the primary route for shipping oil and liquefied natural gas from the Gulf region to global markets, which has pressured energy exports and production while driving up prices on international markets. The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on the Strait of Hormuz resolution to secure the international navigation route from blockade and attack threats. They are also calling on all parties to exercise restraint from actions that could endanger peacekeepers.