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Russia and China on Tuesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The draft, sponsored by Bahrain and backed by the United States, received 11 votes in favour but was blocked by the two permanent members.
The failure to pass the resolution comes at a critical moment, just hours before an ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump expires, demanding that Tehran end its blockade of the vital waterway or face devastating strikes on its infrastructure.
The resolution had already been significantly weakened during negotiations to address concerns from veto-holding members.
Earlier versions that explicitly authorised the use of force were stripped away, replaced by language “strongly encouraging” states to coordinate defensive efforts, such as naval escorts for commercial vessels.
Despite these concessions, Russia argued the text remained confrontational and unbalanced, while Iran’s UN ambassador defended the blockade as a sovereign right against foreign aggression.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz stated that the diplomatic impasse would not prevent the United States from acting in “self-defence” or protecting its allies.
Conversely, Gulf states expressed deep regret, warning that the UN’s inaction sends a dangerous signal that threats to international shipping lanes can go unpunished.
Russia and China have indicated they will propose an alternative resolution calling for a general cessation of attacks by all parties, rather than focusing specifically on Iranian actions.
