Bahrain-led UN resolution on Strait of Hormuz gains support of 112 nations

Lead

A draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has gained 112 co-sponsors, according to diplomatic sources cited by Al Jazeera. The measure, tabled by Bahrain and the United States, demands that Iran halt attacks on ships and disclose the location of all mines in the waterway. It also calls for humanitarian aid passage through the strait, which carries about a fifth of global energy exports in peacetime.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera describe the resolution as co-drafted by Gulf states—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE—alongside the United States. The draft threatens Iran with sanctions if it fails to comply, a demand framed by diplomats as a "shared international responsibility" to keep the strait open. A separate report from the same outlet highlights the resolution's broad international backing, noting India, Japan, South Korea, Kenya, Argentina, and most EU member states have signed on as co-sponsors. The reporting emphasizes the humanitarian and economic stakes, as well as the diplomatic efforts amid a deadlocked US-Iran peace process.

Key Claims

• Broad Co-Sponsorship: The resolution has 112 co-sponsors, including a majority of UN member states, as per diplomatic sources reported by Al Jazeera. The list of co-sponsors spans multiple continents, reflecting widespread concern over the strait's closure.

• Core Demands: The draft resolution demands that Iran immediately halt attacks on ships, stop imposing "illegal tolls," disclose all mine locations, and participate in UN efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor, according to the same reports.

• Co-Drafting: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United States are listed as co-drafters alongside Bahrain and other Gulf nations, per Al Jazeera's reporting.

• US-Iran Stalemate: The US is demanding that Iran dismantle its nuclear programme, while Iran has countered with calls for war reparations and an end to the US naval blockade. These details come from the Al Jazeera reports.

• Previous Veto: A similar resolution was vetoed by China and Russia last month; their stance on the new draft remains unclear, though they have voiced reservations.

Perspectives

Gulf States and Western Allies: Stress the urgency of restoring free navigation to prevent economic instability and humanitarian crises. They frame Iran's actions as illegal and a threat to international security, justifying sanctions and other measures.

Iranian Counter-Arguments: While not detailed in these reports, Iran's calls for war reparations and an end to the US naval blockade suggest a focus on removing what it views as coercive US actions, possibly framing its own measures as defensive.

China and Russia: Their veto of the earlier resolution suggests a cautious or opposed stance, likely viewing it as overly punitive towards Iran or as a US-led maneuver. Their reservations on the new draft could lead to another veto, though this is speculative.

This article is based on reporting from Al Jazeera. The coverage focuses on diplomatic efforts and does not include direct statements from Iranian officials or detailed responses from China and Russia beyond their reservations.