Bahrain Submits UNSC Draft Resolution Allowing Force to Protect Shipping in Strait of Hormuz

Bahrain has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council that would authorize countries to use "all necessary means" to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomats said the draft is backed by other Gulf Arab states and the United States, though it is unlikely to pass due to veto powers held by Russia and China, according to a Reuters report.

The resolution describes Iran's actions as a threat to international peace and security and calls on Tehran to immediately halt attacks on commercial vessels and any attempts to disrupt maritime traffic.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world's oil supplies pass, and the move reflects growing regional concern over potential continued threats from Iran.

Separately, France has submitted a draft resolution with a softer tone that does not mention Iran. The French proposal emphasizes de-escalation, an end to hostilities in the Gulf and a return to diplomacy. It encourages countries to ensure maritime security through defensive measures and international coordination in line with international law, rather than the use of force.

Continued tensions in the region have raised fears of a wider crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and its potential impact on global energy markets.